HN Explorer

Ask YC: Best way to get an internship in SV, for internationals

12 points by pjharrin ↗ HN
Hello YC/HN:

I'm trying to find an internship with a startup (one I believe in)/tech company in SV but I need sponsorship since I'm from Canada. I got an employee to refer me to Apple, but I would like some contingency plans. Any suggestions other then just firing off resumes to startups (which I've done).

Notes: I'm a business person not a lovable code monkey

9 comments

[ 4.3 ms ] story [ 26.5 ms ] thread
siong1987
How about a code monkey? Sorry for hijacking your thread.
pjharrin
No problem, the more the merrier
Mythrl
This may be helpful if you have a degree:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TN_status

ojbyrne
As the article alludes to, it's tricky to find a category of "professional" that you can fit into. I just can't see them allowing an intern in anything to be classified as a "professional." (Former TN holder here).
rms
Email startups you like and ask?
woodsier
Aussie here, looking to move to Cali at the end of 2009. Is there any particular events or avenues/agencies which assist internationals in finding jobs, especially in our sectors?

Any advice or tips?

timcederman
You could try contacting Advance (www.advance.org).

I did it the hard way and just came on over. It's not bad as it allows you to network directly with people.

Contacting companies directly helps. Are you at uni, or at work? If at uni, usually there will be career fairs and the like which attract international companies. Google, Sun and IBM definitely came by looking for people specifically for their SV offices.

woodsier
I'm a full-time Uni student but work as a Digital Media Coordinator for certain digital television channels. Are these fairs in Aus, or Cali?
timcederman
In Australia, at most major universities. I went to University of Queensland and had plenty of opportunities.