SWE Internship Survival Guide [Part 2] - The Rise Of Internship Importance

Breaking into the junior software engineering job market in 2025 is more challenging than ever—but internships offer a powerful path forward. Here are the core points from this lesson:

• The market for junior engineers is shrinking, with companies favoring experienced hires and AI-powered productivity
• Junior engineers often cost more than the immediate value they provide, making companies cautious about full-time hires
• Internships offer a low-risk way for companies to evaluate talent and are now the most reliable path to full-time offers
• Real-world experience from internships outweighs grades, certificates, or side projects in the eyes of employers
• Top companies like FAANG will often get 80%+ of their junior engineers from their returning intern pool, and strong performance during an internship can lead to high-paying offers and long-term career growth