Today, July 25th, is National Intern Day.
This day takes place on the last Thursday of June each year, and is designated to celebrate and uplift interns. Whether you’re a student looking for a role in tech or are a seasoned worker looking to break into the industry, securing a tech internship placement is a sure-fire way to catapult your career.
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the realities facing aspiring tech talent this year, while exploring the possibilities for youth in Canadian tech, as well as highlighting a few tips and tricks that could help land a coveted internship this year.
A path to full-time employment
More than just a way to boost a resume, tech internships provide an opportunity to gain knowledge in the field, and apply learnings to real-world scenarios. Additionally internships offer exposure to new areas in the field, allow for the exploration of passions, and, importantly, build a professional network.
The last point is especially important to emphasize for today’s workforce. According to Statistics Canada’s June labour force survey, the tech sector lost over 10,000 jobs from May to June, 2024. On top of this, youth unemployment rose to 13.5 percent in the same time frame. The youth unemployment rate hasn’t been this high since 2014, barring the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.
It’s no doubt that new and recent graduates have some challenges ahead in their journey to landing a rewarding role in their field. This is why internships are so important, as these placements often lead to a full-time role once completed. For example, at my place of work, Safe Software, over 400 co-op and intern students have come through our doors since 2010, and 33% of them have become full-time team members.
Landing a tech internship
It’s important for youth to know that despite the daunting headlines occupying the Canadian news landscape, there are still so many incredible opportunities available. Below are tips for tech intern hopefuls as they make their foray into the industry:
- Explore what’s out there: Before diving into submitting applications, it’s important to research various roles and companies. Aspiring tech workers should do their due diligence by checking out a company’s website, Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn and profiles, for available positions and information on the company’s values.
- Create a standout application: Resumes should be tailored to each role, emphasizing relevant skills, coursework, and projects. A great way to stand out is to include a reference from a previous employer or professor on your resume. This can significantly boost an application by showcasing credibility through a strong endorsement from a trusted source. To complement the resume, cover letters should demonstrate proficiency in the role’s requirements and highlight the unique value an applicant can add to the organization.
- Don’t settle for less: Paid internships are the way that most people break into tech, and it’s important to know what compensation is fair for your role so you can make an informed decision. At Safe Software, we believe that students should be paid for the work they provide during their time here. Our co-op students enjoy competitive compensation and students are eligible for Safe’s profit-sharing bonus during their placements, for example. Compensation should be included in the job posting, but if it has not been shared, it should be addressed leading up to or at the start of the interview process.
Empowering future tech leaders
National Intern Day is not just a day to celebrate and recognize interns, it also serves as a reminder of the critical role internship and co-op placements play in tech careers. I encourage those looking to break into Canadian tech to consider paid internships as a strong stepping stone into the sector. To my fellow tech talent leaders, let’s empower the next generation of Canadian tech talent and celebrate our interns today.
Happy National Intern Day!
Bonnie Alexander is the Vice President of HR & Facility Operations at Safe Software.
