Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!hplabs!hpda!hpcupt1!kluft
From: kluft@hpcupt1.HP.COM (Ian Kluft)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Summer Internships in Computer Science
Message-ID: <6860001@hpcupt1.HP.COM>
Date: 1 Aug 88 20:51:17 GMT
References: <5705@super.upenn.edu>
Organization: HP Systems Technology Div, Cupertino CA
Lines: 73

spolsky@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Joel Spolsky) asks about:
> I am interested in hearing from undergraduates in Computer Science who
> have spent the past summer in any kind of internship in Computer
> Science. I would like to compile a list of such programs to make
> available via the net. I am especially interested in hearing your
> evaluations of the program. 
  [ ... ]
> Useful points to mention are:
> -location
   Hewlett-Packard, Cupertino CA

> -transportation arrangements
   Like everyone else, you make these arrangements

> -approximate number of participants
   That's classified.  Let's just say there's a lot of room here.
   It's a big site.

> -housing
   HP employee housing is available but I was lucky that my folks live
   nearby.

> -competitiveness
   I've never had much trouble finding a position here.  The interviews are
   technical but not grueling, but it varies from department to department.
   However, I've heard of at least one person who had a lot of trouble
   getting in.  It depends on communications ability, experience, and
   how many other candidates that particular manager is looking at.

> -job descriptions
   Any manager can get a Summer employee requisition for almost any project
   that will take about a Summer to do, particularly if the permanent staff
   doesn't have time to get to it.  Some are more interesting than others.
   (I have enjoyed both Summers with HP).

   My job description?  Hmmm... I can't go into that much detail on the
   net but I'm working with diagnostic software for the HP Precision
   Architecture (a.k.a. Spectrum).  Mostly upgrading a regression test
   package.

> -work atmosphere
   The idea is for Summer employees to be just like the regular engineers
   or staff they work with.  But there are some differences because it
   is (hello reality!) temporary.  Summer hires who do an acceptable job
   (and most do) can be given an offer for the following Summer or for
   a permanent job at that time.  They'll be kept on as an HP employee
   on leave-of-absence during school.

   The actual environment depends on the people you work with.  I think
   I've been extremely lucky two years in a row.  The rumors are
   correct - HP is a great place to work.

> Etc. etc. You get the idea.
   I've heard that 8 out of 10 people in the S.E.E.D. (Student Employment
   and Experience Development) program come back to HP as permanent
   employees.  Part of it has to be the fact that HP trusts its Summer
   hires with real projects, not just something to keep them busy or
   just grunt work.

   My tip for students who want "in" at HP is to bring a resume to the
   site that has a division you want to work in.  Ask the guard or recep-
   tionist at the desk to send it to the personnel department for the site.
   Do this at every HP site that applies.  February is the best time to be
   looking for Summer jobs at HP.  But don't expect to hear from anyone until
   after they've filled their permanent positions.

   Most of all, make sure you have experience to back up what you put on
   your resume!

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    Ian Kluft			RAS Lab
    UUCP: hplabs!hprasor!kluft	HP Systems Technology Division
    ARPA: kluft@hpda.hp.com	Cupertino, CA
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