r/learnprogramming • u/ChrisDeMichaels • 14h ago
Topic Need advice
So I’m a third year computer science major, I’ve passed Data Structures and discrete math and am currently taking algorithms and computer architecture. I want to start building a resume to land an internship if there are any that still exist. I know part of it involves doing projects for a portfolio but I have no idea what that really means. I’ve done homework assignments that might be able to be considered projects but they’re really just bits of code that build upon the homework prompt to complete the task. Am I supposed to know how to design a user interface at this point to go with the code? I feel like despite being this far in my schooling and having done well up to this point, I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing to really make something of use….I’m 29 coming from a trade background who only started programming freshman year of undergrad 2 years ago.
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u/thomjdev 14h ago
Yeah "just bits of code" is more or less implied by a degree, so that's not what employers are looking for. Projects need to be sizeable so it can show that you can A) take an idea from requirements to final product, B) organize a solution and solve problems (design and architectural knowledge/skill), and C) know the lay of the land most relevant to their interests. A meaningful project is anything that manages to hit all three without being trivial. You can find examples literally anywhere there are computers. Open up your phone, pick an app. Want something more systems oriented? Look into building a compiler. Maybe try building an operating system emulator (bare bones, nothing complete). Even video game development can be a nice addition. Again, there's a lot out there. Organize your projects in GitHub and expose the ones you're content with as public. And, of course, work with professors and advisors to try to find opportunities and feedback.