First Computer Science Internship

[LongCoolMother]

So I've been offered my first computer-science related internship (I'm currently a second year undergrad in CS at UC Berkeley). What kind of pay rates are reasonable? If I were to guess, I would probably be doing QA/testing stuff, though it might also involve a good amount of developing. It's a relatively small startup-type company with very focused products, so I imagine I would be fairly involved.

Considering that it's my first internship (so no prior experience) what is a comfortable range I should ask for if they want to know?

 

[Gunslinger08]

$15.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
$15.

thanks. my thoughts, originally, as well. I don't want to go too low or too high (and look like a douche).

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother

Originally posted by: joshsquall
$15.

thanks. my thoughts, originally, as well. I don't want to go too low or too high (and look like a douche).

you wont look like a douche if you go too low. in fact if its a good company it might be worthwhile to lowball it if youre interested in the work and if theres a chance they will hire you on full time when you finish school.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Where I work, I started at $17.25 / hr as co-ops doing just routine desktop / printer / etc. support. My buddy got hired to do coding and he thinks he's making a killing at $12. I don't have the heart to tell him that I do less work in a much more laid back environment and get paid more because I decided to go the IT route.

Though this is in Pittsburgh.. no idea how it is on the west coast where people tend to get paid more, from what I've heard.

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
So I've been offered my first computer-science related internship (I'm currently a second year undergrad in CS at UC Berkeley). What kind of pay rates are reasonable? If I were to guess, I would probably be doing QA/testing stuff, though it might also involve a good amount of developing. It's a relatively small startup-type company with very focused products, so I imagine I would be fairly involved.

Considering that it's my first internship (so no prior experience) what is a comfortable range I should ask for if they want to know?

I got $20 per hour doing QA work but it was for a Fortune 500 company.

 

[Queasy]

$15-$20/hr sounds about right. I made $18 at my first internship.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
So I've been offered my first computer-science related internship (I'm currently a second year undergrad in CS at UC Berkeley). What kind of pay rates are reasonable? If I were to guess, I would probably be doing QA/testing stuff, though it might also involve a good amount of developing. It's a relatively small startup-type company with very focused products, so I imagine I would be fairly involved.

Considering that it's my first internship (so no prior experience) what is a comfortable range I should ask for if they want to know?

I got $20 per hour doing QA work but it was for a Fortune 500 company.

wow. nice. was that your first internship?

 

[slayer202]

most people I know either got paid nothing, or $10-12 for their first internship, including myself

 

[duragezic]

I'm trying to think if I know of anyone who did a CS internship, but don't think so. $15 seems a little low, especially for the area which I assume has to have a fairly high COL.

Although most of the people I know interned with large companies, and maybe the pay is normally better with them. At a start-up, it might be worth it to not get paid as much since I'd think you would come out with more skills. I'd think you'd be less likely to be stuck with grunt work at a start-up, and instead be able to be more directly involved with projects, which really is key when interviewing for a full-time job. To be able to say you actually made a difference with this company's new program, rather than "yeah I interned at GM, it was cool"

My first, well only internship, I got paid $14.50/hr, and I think that was the lowest out of any of my EE or CpE friends, most who got $18+/hr if I remember.

Just an idea: My school's career center gets salary data each year for full-time and internship positions from students by major. I would check that out, as it would give you a good idea on what to expect or ask for, and would be directly applicable as it is coming from students like yourself at your school.

 

[Imdmn04]

18-22, especially for a Berkeley student.

 

[legoman666]

i got paid 17.46 for my first co-op as an EE, so 15-20 should be reasonable for a CS.

 

[Skeeedunt]

I started at $9

Good perks at the time though.

Though, come to think of it, the job wasn't really billed as an "internship". So maybe I should shut up.

 

[tfinch2]

I was paid $12.83/hr my first internship. On my second I moved up to $28.85/hr.

 

[RichieZ]

I interned at IBM during summer breaks

I think the pay was something like $17,$19,$23

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Apple pays about $27/hour + $500/month living stipend. Intuit, MS, Google are all similar. They usually will only interview Juniors unless you particularly stand out.