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What is a software developer internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Frank McCown Ph.D.,
Kevin Treu Ph.D.
introduction image

A software developer internship is an entry-level position for individuals interested in developing software programs. The interns work closely with experienced developers to learn various programming languages, tools, and techniques. Software developer interns assist with the design, coding, testing, and implementation of software solutions. They also participate in team meetings and collaborate with developers. This internship provides valuable hands-on experience and helps interns develop their skills in software development..

What general advice would you give to a software developer internship?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.
ScoreSoftware Developer InternshipUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,480

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.0

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 40.05%

Black or African American 4.04%

Hispanic or Latino 7.73%

Unknown 4.68%

White 43.33%

Gender

female 21.97%

male 78.03%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
4.0

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a software developer internship?

Pros

  • Potential for a full-time job offer after internship completion

  • Exposure to different programming languages and technologies

  • Possibility of receiving academic credit for the internship

  • Chance to work with cutting-edge tools and technologies

  • Potential for a higher salary than other types of internships

Cons

  • High level of competition for internships

  • Long hours and tight deadlines

  • Limited opportunities for career advancement within the company after the internship

  • Possibility of being assigned to a team or project that is not a good fit

  • Potential for a lower salary compared to other entry-level software development jobs

Software developer internship career paths

Key steps to become a software developer internship

  1. Explore software developer internship education requirements

    Most common software developer internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.7 %

    Master's

    21.2 %

    Associate

    3.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific software developer internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Java12.71%
    Python10.11%
    Software Development8.20%
    JavaScript5.83%
    Object Oriented Programming3.82%
  3. Complete relevant software developer internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New software developer interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a software developer internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real software developer internship resumes.
  4. Research software developer internship duties and responsibilities

    • Manage various 3D-modeling, visualization and animation projects to create a comprehensive and efficient software package for large-scale 3D animation projects.
    • Update web app remotely to be more responsive and user facing with HTML, PHP and CSS.
    • Create XML calls for post, updating, deleting API calls.
    • Implement test client in Java, J2EE and run test code in Linux.
  5. Prepare your software developer internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your software developer internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a software developer internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable software developer internship resume templates

    Build a professional software developer internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your software developer internship resume.
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
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    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
    Software Developer Internship Resume
  6. Apply for software developer internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a software developer internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first software developer internship job

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Average software developer internship salary

The average software developer internship salary in the United States is $38,480 per year or $19 per hour. Software developer internship salaries range between $30,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average software developer internship salary
$38,480 Yearly
$18.50 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do software developer interns rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

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2 stars

1 star

Software developer internship reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set

Cons

Still have to deal with people :)


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface

Cons

I didn't like how technical it could become


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

Designing a new system or making changes to an old one.

Cons

Compensation. Pay and Benefits do not match the time spent on a project. Alabama is the Worst state to live in for SOFTWARE ENGINEER Salaries. 40 to 50 percent less than our peer States.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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