Software development internship : advices needed (San Francisco: car rental, rental, school)

[Sorel36]

God willing I will be completing my bachelors degree in computer science in a few months, and I might be coming to California from Canada at the end of the summer looking for an intern position ( 6 to 18 months ) as a software developer ( mainly Java and a couple script languages ). I have a few questions for those of you who know the industry and the bay area. My plan is to come as a tourist first and then get an intern visa when/if I have an offer.

Since I will not have a car, is it still possible for me to easily go to interviews in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco area or is transportation, or the lack of it thereof, going to be a pain...Should I try in NYC instead since at least there I would be able to get around using subways/buses ?

Is asking for 45k-55K realistic for an intern without prior professional experience ?

Thanks in advance.

[jbunniii]

Originally Posted by Sorel36

Since I will not have a car, is it still possible for me to easily go to interviews in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco area or is transportation, or the lack of it thereof, going to be a pain...

Within San Francisco, it won't be too bad assuming you are staying someplace relatively central. (Indeed, a car would be more of a nuisance than a help, due to parking hassles.) For interviewing on the peninsula or in Silicon Valley, getting around without a car is not impossible, if you have enough time, but it will be a major pain. I would recommend renting a car as needed. Maybe ZipCar if you only need a car intermittently:

Car Sharing, an alternative to car rental and car ownership – Zipcar

[Sorel36]

Thanks i'm going to check this out.

[marcopolo666]

I would suggest trying to get the intern position before coming out.

Also, many companies won't give you an "intern" position if you have graduated. You can say that you are considering going to graduate school, or simply ask your school to delay your graduation (if necessary).

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Sorel36

Since I will not have a car, is it still possible for me to easily go to interviews in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco area or is transportation, or the lack of it thereof, going to be a pain...

That would be easy in San Francisco but not in Silicon Valley. The Valley is spread out and sprawled out and public transportation will be limited in how fast it can get you somewhere or whether it can even get you within several blocks. When I first came out here a few years ago to do an interview, my potential boss had to come pick me up at the Caltrain station and take me to the office to do the interview.

Should I try in NYC instead since at least there I would be able to get around using subways/buses ?

Well, public transportation is much more convenient, but in my personal experience getting a job in NYC is much, much harder.

Is asking for 45k-55K realistic for an intern without prior professional experience ?

Thanks in advance.

I mean, do you want to be an intern, or do you want to just jump into a full time salaried job at $70k. The latter option is available to you too.

[Sorel36]

I mean, do you want to be an intern, or do you want to just jump into a full time salaried job at $70k. The latter option is available to you too.

I'll have to look for an intern position, that way I can ask for a J1 visa, which is is easier to obtain than an H1B visa.

[Sorel36]

Also, I'm wondering if in order to outperform the competition from indian workers , I should get a master's degree in Canada first before I make an attempt at starting a career in the valley ? I keep reading all those articles on how the opportunities are good for software developers in SV, but is it really that good without a master's or the right experience ? Are there many developers there who struggle in their careers ?

[80skeys]

no I haven't seen any developers struggling in their career here. There's a lot of jobs available. Companies will base your pay on whether you have a Bachelor's or Masters, but you'll still be able to get a job.

I don't know about your whole "intern" thing though. I've never known any software developer intern. In fact the only interns I've seen were Americans. All the foreign software engineers have been full time employees.

[Sorel36]

Ok thanks for your response. Knowing that jobs are plenty and available is reassuring. I have read testimonies of students from overseas getting internships in SV, so i know it is possible.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my questions.

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by Sorel36

Ok thanks for your response. Knowing that jobs are plenty and available is reassuring. I have read testimonies of students from overseas getting internships in SV, so i know it is possible.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my questions.

Can't you get a visa under the NAFTA agreement? I know there are several Canadian software engineers working in the US this way and it was very easy to get. That way your could earn at least $80-90K to start.

You can get around SV without a car if you plan it. I have worked with people that didn't have cars there though it is more difficult.