6 Experiences That Helped Me Launch My Tech Career Before Graduation
From hackathons and internships to mentorship and leadership opportunities, discover the experiences that helped launch my tech career before graduation.
As the end of every semester approaches, my LinkedIn feed consists of posts that begin with, “I am excited to announce…” with highlights of a new internship, leadership position, or job opportunity.
It seems like everyone is sharing a new achievement or career milestone. Seeing those accomplishments can be inspiring, but it can also leave you wondering how your peers found those opportunities, and what you should be doing to prepare for your own careers.
As a student pursuing a career in technology, I have asked myself many of those same questions. How do you gain experience before graduation? How do you build professional skills while balancing classes? And where do you even begin?
Fortunately, throughout my time at St. John’s University, I have found countless ways to break into the technical industry.
I graduated this past May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. I will graduate with a Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in May 2027. Throughout my time at St. John’s, I have had the privilege of holding several executive leadership positions, participating in leadership development opportunities, and engaging in internships and career-building experiences that have helped shape my journey as a woman in tech.
Here are six experiences that helped me build skills, grow my network, and prepare for a career in tech before graduation.
1. Involvement in Student Organizations
Student organizations on campus have truly revolutionized my educational and professional experiences. There are hundreds of organizations on campus that support a wide range of academic, professional, and personal interests.
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is St. John’s premier technical organization. I had the privilege of serving as the Information Officer during the 2025–26 academic year and have been an active member for far longer than that.
ACM assists students by bridging what they have learned in the classroom with industry knowledge. We have hosted office visits to locations such as SAP, AWS, and Ernst & Young (EY). Through these visits, members can connect with industry professionals and see what a typical day in their careers looks like.
One of the most special things about ACM is the community it fosters. ACM is truly a family, working together to support and uplift each other through everything from personal to professional advice, such as resume reviews and technical interview preparation tips. This helps students be well-equipped for the workforce, as members have gone on to work at companies such as Amazon, Bloomberg, EY, Rivian, and more.
2. Competing in Hackathons
Hackathons are a small simulation of what a real software engineering environment looks like: students work together to build the best product they can within a limited amount of time.
It was through the first-ever ACM x Headstarter Hackathon that I placed first with my team and interned with Headstarter that summer. Since then, hackathons have become an annual event at St. John’s.
St. John’s Hacks is an event just for St. John’s University students and typically occurs during the spring semester. This event brings together more than 100 students from all technical skill levels.
Throughout the event, students receive support through team formation, industry-led workshops, mentorship, and resources that help them bring their ideas to life. At St. John’s Hacks 2026, many of the winning students were participating in their first-ever hackathon.
Hackathon participation can be a significant resume booster, as it is an experience recruiters look for: it shows that you can work in a team to solve a problem, which is a direct simulation of the work done in the workforce.
3. Gaining Experience Through Internships
Internship experience is immensely valuable, as it provides insight into the companies and industry you are entering.
In the technology industry, internship recruiting often begins earlier than many students realize, with opportunities opening from August to November. The earlier you apply, the greater the chance a recruiter will see your application.
The St. John’s Career Services Centercan be a valuable resource when preparing for internships. The office hosts events and workshops tailored for students and provides support with résumés, LinkedIn profiles, networking, and interview preparation. Jody Huie works with all STEM students, including those in technology, data analytics, and research, helping them prepare for career opportunities.
Another valuable St. John’s resource is the university’s Professional Development programs, which help guide students as they transition from the academic space into the professional world. I have had the privilege of participating in the Emerging Leadership Development Program, the Leadership Development Program, and the Professional Development Program, led by Elisa Zervos. Through these programs, students can learn from experienced professionals and speakers, receive résumé and LinkedIn feedback, and build the confidence and skills needed to present themselves professionally.
LinkedIn can quickly become a student’s new best friend. It is a great place to highlight your achievements, show recruiters what you have done, and share your future goals and aspirations. St. John’s now offers the Iris Photo Booth located in Chiang Ching-Kuo Hall on campus, where students can take professional headshots for their profiles.
One of the most common mistakes students make is not applying for internships because they do not feel qualified enough. However, we are often more qualified than we may believe. Internships are places where we can learn and grow. Recruiters are not looking for perfection; they are looking for a willingness to learn.
Even if we do not feel ready, take a chance and apply. Growth often comes before we feel ready for it.
4. Building Relationships with Mentors
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my growth throughout college.
I have had the opportunity to serve as both a mentee in the R.I.S.E Network and Aspire programs and a mentor in the E.P.I.C. program. These experiences taught me the value of learning from others and helping others grow in return.
Mentorship can take many different forms and is not always delivered through a structured program. Sometimes it can be as simple as a coffee chat with someone who has experience in your industry. A simple coffee chat once led me to my second internship, which demonstrated how valuable mentorship and networking can be.
St. John’s provides many opportunities for these types of connections. I had the privilege of attending the St. John’s Career Services Alumni Insiders View... Trip to Washington, DC, in the Fall of 2025. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with many St. John’s alumni who are
successful in their fields and willing to share their advice, experiences, and support.
Your friends and family can also become an excellent source of support, especially on the days when you feel drained or discouraged. Your friends are part of your network too, and they can offer encouragement and mentorship in ways that are just as meaningful as a formal coach or mentor. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people in your field can help you feel supported as you work toward your goals.
5. Attending Industry Events and Professional Programs
Many opportunities outside the classroom can help students build real-world experience and expand their professional networks
Some of the resources include
NYC Tech Events
Free Online Resources and Programs
Nonprofit Organizations
- ColorStack
- Rewriting the Code
- Girls Who Code
- Women in Data Science (WiDS)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
These opportunities can help students build their networks, develop new skills, and gain a better understanding of the many career paths available within the tech industry.
6. Prioritizing Balance and Well-Being
With everything we strive to accomplish, balance should be a priority.
Feelings of stress, burnout, and impostor syndrome are common. especially in a field like technology, where everything changes quickly, and it can feel like everyone is constantly accomplishing something new.
St. John’s is here to support students through resources such as St. John’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which offers free therapy appointments, and St. John’s Student Wellness, which provides wellness coaching to help students balance their sleep and support overall well-being. Therapy and wellness coaching can be valuable tools for students at any stage of their academic and personal journey.
As cliché as it is, a healthy mind is a healthy life.
Final Thoughts
Leadership and opportunity often begin before we feel ready.
Through the people I have met and the communities I have been part of, I have learned that the most meaningful opportunities in life often appear before we feel prepared for them.
Sometimes the hardest step is simply walking into the room. However, the next step, the most important step, is believing that you deserve to be there and making space for yourself within it.
Even when you do not feel ready, step forward anyway.
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