If you’re looking to snag a job in the prestigious Silicon Valley after college graduation, an internship at one of its prized startups will definitely catch employers’ eyes.
Uber is a name that will put an enormous spotlight on your resume — if you earn the right to put it there.
Having gone from a local tech darling to a globally recognized company, Uber is one of San Francisco’s biggest success stories, so students who make the cut are at an advantage when it comes to job prospects.
In this article, we’ll guide you through Uber’s internship program, hiring practices, and additional ways to earn.
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Uber Internship Opportunities
Whether you’re interested in being a product designer, marketer, software engineer, or something in between, there’s likely at least one role that will pique your interest.
Uber offers opportunities for students from a wide variety of degree programs to gain real-world experience.
Each of these roles will lead to hands-on experience with a global product, supplemented by strong feedback and the support of mentors.
This isn’t an internship where you’ll be grabbing coffees or doing menial work.
Expect to spend a lot of time practicing your current and desired skills as a part of your assigned team.
Another plus: Uber internships aren’t just for students working toward their bachelor’s degrees.
Whereas most companies only target students who just entered college, Uber additionally invests in MBA and PhD students who they can trust to get the job done — with much less hand-holding required.
You can head to Uber’s page for student opportunities to see current openings, or fill out the interest form at the bottom of the page if you don’t find the internship you’re looking for.
The majority of internships are based in San Francisco where Uber is headquartered — the rest are in New York City and Seattle — but don’t give up hope if you’re thousands of miles away.
Uber is known to provide fairly hefty stipends and housing support, so the opportunity may be worth the initial cost.
Uber Intern Requirements
Uber internship requirements vary widely between positions
For example, candidates for Uber’s PhD Software Engineer Internship must be able to prove their technical proficiency, which means they’re expected to be close to job-ready.
On the other hand, a summer internship in operations and marketing only requires related internship experience and basic project management skills.
Overall, you can expect your internship requirements to be similar to that of other programs for your field.
However, remember that competition is high for companies like Uber.
You’ll have to prove that you’re both a skilled professional with problem-solving skills to lend the team, and a moldable student who is open to learning from mentors.
Of course, every Uber internship position requires a few rounds of interviews to determine if you’re a good fit.
Screenings you’ll have to pass may include:
- A human resources screening: The HR team will review your application materials to ensure that you fit basic qualifications. This may or may not involve an actual interview, depending on the position you’re applying for, but will certainly involve a review of your experience.
- Phone and in-person interviews: Once you pass the human resources screening, you’ll likely be offered one or two phone, video, or in-person interviews with your internship program manager. The format will likely depend on your location. For example, if you’re located in northern California, or a recruiter is visiting your college, you may be asked to do an in-person interview. Many applicants state that one of these interviews will be highly technical for software engineers, information technology specialists, and the like.
- A project: Most internship applicants report that a technical or creative project will be assigned. This is where students can flex their coding skills, or prove that they can think out of the box with a marketing plan.
Uber Internship Pros and Cons
The biggest complaint interns have is that Uber kills their work-life balance.
Glassdoor reviews frequently cite long hours as an issue — and the heavily team-centric culture, plus time-consuming company events, keeping your social life and friendships at Uber, too.
That said, if you’re OK with putting in hard work for a semester, or just over the summer, you’ll reap big rewards.
Uber interns can reportedly make over $6,000 a month with housing stipends.
Though this number blends in the earnings of students in engineering, higher levels of education, and other salary boosters, you’ll likely thrive at Uber regardless of which department you’re in.
The company states that Uber offers its interns:
- Free meals and unlimited snacks
- Free monthly credits
- Direct access to a mentor
- The ability to make an impact
More Opportunities to Work With Uber
If Uber internships aren’t for you, there are still a handful of ways you can work for Uber.
The following are two primary methods you can use to start earning with Uber.
Sign Up to Drive
If you’re not yet qualified to take on an internship at Uber, you can still sign up as a driver and start earning on the road.
Almost anyone with a high-quality, newer vehicle will qualify to drive with Uber or become an Uber Eats driver.
This earning opportunity is extremely flexible, as you’ll be an independent contractor.
You can work whenever you want, with no minimum hours, making it perfect for students, parents, teachers, and more.
The only requirement for students to be aware of is that drivers must be at least 21 years old to be accepted onto the platform.
Apply for a Job
Of course, Uber isn’t all about contract work and driving around the city.
They need workers running their operations and developing their technologies behind the scenes.
If you’re overqualified for an internship, a career at Uber will likely be a great fit.
As a large company, Uber seems to have an endless supply of job openings.
Whether you want to be a user experience researcher in Pittsburgh or an account manager in Mumbai, you can browse through Uber’s global careers page to find the perfect role for you.
Though working at the Uber office isn’t quite as flexible as working as a driver, you’ll still receive plenty of benefits.
These include a sizable salary, a dynamic workplace, great insurance, vacation days, and complimentary or discounted Uber services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for the career of your dreams?
To help you prepare for your application and interviews, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions to help you become a top candidate for your role.
1. Are Uber interns guaranteed to be hired after graduation?
Uber cannot guarantee a full-time position for interns after their graduation.
However, your experience working with Uber and the relationships you build during your time at the company will certainly move you ahead of most applicants if a position in your field opens up.
At the least, your internship experience will likely increase your chances of landing an interview and a few good internal recommendations.
2. Are Uber internships part-time or full-time?
Uber provides a mix of internship schedules, making it possible for full-time students to get experience without overexerting themselves.
Either way, your job function will be similar to that of a typical full-time employee, just with learning benefits and cut down to fit however many hours you can work.
3. Can I apply for an internship or a job with Uber through LinkedIn?
Absolutely! Uber posts thousands of jobs on their LinkedIn page.
Currently, there are openings fit for experts in public policy, economics, and many more fields internationally.
4. What questions will I be asked during my internship interviews?
While the exact questions cannot be predicted, you can expect to be asked about your experience, your knowledge of the company, and your understanding of your field.
For more specifics, you can take a look at interview questions Glassdoor users have provided from their personal experiences as Uber interviewees.
To further nail your internship interview, consider taking a look at these additional job interview tips.
Apply for Your Future in Tech
Palo Alto is waiting for you.
Forming a career in Silicon Valley starts with gaining the experience you need to land a job after you graduate.
What better way to stand out than to get an internship with Uber?
With the help of this guide you can now navigate your internship application process, or make a decision on what Uber career path is right for you.
