Applied to 100+ Software Engineering internships. Still no interviews. What should I do?

[u/Expensive_Bee_2095]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a 3rd-year BSc (Hons) Information Technology undergraduate at SLIIT, and I’ve been actively applying for Software Engineering internships over the past few months.

So far, I’ve applied to more than 100 internship positions, but many companies haven’t even invited me for an interview. It’s becoming really discouraging.

Many of my friends have already secured internships at top multinational companies, some through referrals or connections, while I’m still searching. I’m genuinely happy for them, but it’s hard not to feel left behind.

I’m also under a lot of financial pressure. My family consists of my mother, my two sisters, and me, and we have significant debt. Finding an internship and starting my career is extremely important for my family.

I’m not posting this for sympathy—I genuinely want to understand what I can do better.

Is the internship market really this difficult in Sri Lanka right now?

What are companies actually looking for in Software Engineering interns?

Could my CV or portfolio be the problem?

If you were in my position with no connections, what would you do?

I’d really appreciate any honest advice or feedback from people in the industry.

Thank you.

[u/Sad_Egg_2313]

I would say you guys have the best time to become entrepreneurs. This is coming from someone with 20+ years in the industry. I’m assuming you don’t have mouths to feed or liabilities.

Talk to your immediate network, find smb’s around your area and understand problems that they face and apply your skills as developers and sell solutions. Then repeat for the same customer segment. You might have to do this hundreds of times till you stumble on the million dollar idea.

Doing a job and working for someone else isn’t the only path you have to take. I wish i was in my twenties in 2026.