Amazon

The Amazon office in San Luis Obispo, CA has a fantastic intern program. It allows students at the nearby California Polytechnic State University to work part-time and gain invaluable real-world experience while earning their degree. The position gives interns real tasks that benefit the business and allow them to grow, rather than menial or meaningless work. Whereas most internship positions for Comp Sci/Software Dev target students in their third year or later, this position targets students who are in their second or even first years. It is structured to allow the intern to grow in effectiveness and responsibility as they complete more classes and gain more experience.

After the first summer, during which interns transition to work full-time until school starts again, most interns have enough experience to be treated as a part-time version of the regular starting software development role. They are able to tackle the same tasks as any member of a team, albeit at a slower pace due to fewer working hours.

Additionally, interns who stay for a second summer are offered the opportunity to work for Amazon in another location, usually Seattle, for the duration of the summer. This is a great opportunity for interns to explore other opportunities within the company and experience living in a new location.

Working part-time while going to school is a big commitment, no matter the employer. However, Amazon is very flexible with scheduling and always allows you to prioritize school over work.