Your Future in Tech Starts Here

• Key questions to ask your Department Chair and Program Coordinator
• Pro tip highlight: “Start EARLY! Employers recruit 3–6+ months in advance.”

• Resume, Cover Letter, LinkedIn/Handshake
• Pro tip: ACC Career Life Design Services can help

• Timeline infographic showing months before semester:
• 6 months → Start search
• 3 months → Contact instructor & apply
• 0 months → Start internship
• Platforms & networking tips

Apply widely, stay organized, be responsive

For Software Development and Computer Science Students

LeetCode: Practice coding challenges and technical interview questions
HackerRank / CodeSignal: Competitions and coding assessments used by employers
GitHub: Showcase your projects and contribute to open-source repositories
Stack Overflow: Participate in the developer community and showcase knowledge

Actionable Tips:
Build a personal portfolio website with your projects and GitHub links.
Practice data structures & algorithms regularly (LeetCode, HackerRank).
Contribute to open-source projects to demonstrate real-world coding experience.
Prepare for technical interviews with mock coding challenges and system design exercises. Attend hackathons or coding competitions to gain experience and network.
Document your projects clearly (README files, problem statements, and outcomes), not just upload code.
Build soft skills—communication, teamwork, and the ability to explain code and decisions.
Gain some exposure to version control workflows (Git/GitHub collaboration) and basic Agile practices, as these are commonly expected in internships.
Participate in real or simulated team projects, as employers value collaborative experience.

For Information Technology and Cybersecurity Students

Find your Brand!!! More than anything, know what you want to do. IT and Cybersecurity is not just about stopping bad guys or building networks with code or trying to hack into everything. You can go into compliance, training, HR, education, forensics, hacking, polices and law. There are so many different directions to go. Find one or two that interest you and follow those paths. Do not try to be know everything – it will never happen. Find your brand and stick with it for a while. Before you know it, you will see you have other newly acquired skills and now you are ready for the next step.

Suggested Platforms & Tools:

• TryHackMe (https://tryhackme.com ) – beginner to advanced learning step-by-step walkthroughs covering all aspects of security. Many free rooms to practice skills without having to pay. Assumption is no to little experience.
• Hack The Box (https://www.hackthebox.com ) – beginner to advanced practice with all aspects of security. Assumption is you already have been exposed to a degree to many of these topics in some format.
• Over the Wire (https://overthewire.org/wargames/) – practice with Linux and command line to help you to learn and practice security concepts in the form of fun-filled games. Each level is contingent on your ability to capture data from the previous level to use to open the next.
• CompTIA – entry level certifications in Network+, A+, Security+ are a good starting point. Many free online sources to practice these exams.

o Button: ACC CompTIA Discount  → students will need to go to this site and purchase via the academic student store: https://academic-store.comptia.org/

• Cisco Certifications (https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/certifications/enterprise/ccna/index.html ) – CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is Cisco’s top associate-level certification. It is designed to help IT professionals find a way to build and validate their basic Cisco Networking skills. Earning the CCNA certification demonstrates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks. This certification is highly regarded in the industry and often serves as the entry point for more advanced Cisco certifications.
• Python – do not be fooled, you MUST know basic programming skills and python is the perfect choice.
• Udemy = Please use the following link if you would like to get Udemy for free: https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/
• You may have to do some research, but if you have an Austin Public Library Card, this is the easiest way to get Udemy for free.
• O’Reilly (http://go.oreilly.com/austin-cc ) – You could go through O’Reilly (through our Library) for thousands of free tutorials, including CompTIA prep.
• Socratica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8nQ90Hk328&list=PLi01XoE8jYohWFPpC17Z-wWhPOSuh8Er-&index=18 ) – a fun entertaining way to learn python through free YouTube videos. Socratica is a space-traveling adventurer who uses python to learn about the universe. Fun way to learn python on your own.

Actionable Tips:

• Build a VM and install Kali Linux. Familiarize yourself with all aspects of Kali. You do not need to be an expert but know what the tools are that come pre-installed and have an idea on what they do.
• Build a home lab to experiment with network setups, servers, and security tools.
• Participate in cybersecurity competitions like Hackathons and Capture the Flag (CTFs) to gain practical experience. You do not need to be an expert. In fact, newbies tend to do better because they bring a set of eyes that has not been biased toward certain expectations, so do as many of these as you can.
• Stay updated with industry news and threats, which demonstrates engagement to employers. Read something EVERY DAY about security. Set up Google alerts. Read news. Watch news. You do not know what they are talking about? Research it!

• Keep a journal on these events – why are they important to you? To others? What would you change if you could?

• Network with IT professionals and alumni for mentorship and internship leads. Go to Meet-ups, and conferences. Many conventions and conferences locally can be attended for free or virtually. Do your research. See if you can join DIR (https://dir.texas.gov/ ) or other organiztions like these.
• Know how to use a VCS. Not sure what that is – look it up! Most popular – git.
• Utilize Github as a free cloud platform to host items for your resume or portfolio – code, files, documents, notes, anything you feel will make you a stronger candidate to a potential employer.

• Notify instructor & department
• Register for course 
• If You Don’t Have an Internship by Day 1 of Your Internship Semester

We have a process to support you, but you need to know the terms. Submit the Emergency Placement Assistance Request Form

Placement is not guaranteed

Positions may be unpaid

You must follow up with every employer contact

You may need to withdraw or accept an instructor-approved incomplete

(Keep in mind, the longer you delay withdrawing, the less of a tuition refund you will receive.)

Refunds may not be available after the college’s deadline