17 Computer Science Intern Interview Questions and Answers

Every company has different needs, and the computer science intern interview questions you’ll face will be tailored to the specific company you’re interviewing with. However, there are some questions that are commonly asked in interviews for computer science internships.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with some common questions that you may be asked in your interview, as well as some tips on how to answer them. We’ll also provide you with a few questions that you can ask the interviewer to help you decide if the company and the internship are the right fit for you.

Are you familiar with the programming languages used in this industry?

This question is a great way for employers to see if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention which languages you are familiar with and how often you use them.

Example: “I am very familiar with Java, C++ and Python. I used these three programming languages most frequently during my internship at XYZ Company last summer. I also know some HTML and CSS, but not as much as I would like. I plan on taking an online course to learn more about those two languages.”

What are some of the most important skills for a computer science intern to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in their internship program. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important computer science skills and how you developed them over time.

Example: “The two most important skills for a computer science intern are problem-solving and communication. These skills allow me to analyze a situation, develop solutions and communicate those solutions effectively with my team members. I’ve always been good at these skills because I enjoy working on complex problems and communicating with others. In fact, I was able to use both skills when I helped my professor solve an issue with our school’s website last semester.”

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in technology?

Employers want to know that you’re passionate about technology and are always looking for ways to improve your skills. Show the interviewer that you have a passion for learning by describing how you stay up-to-date on new trends in computer science.

Example: “I’m constantly reading tech blogs, listening to podcasts and watching YouTube videos. I also attend conferences and networking events where I can meet other professionals who work in this field. I find that these methods help me learn more about what’s happening in the industry and give me ideas for new projects.”

What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on during your internship so far?

This question is a great way to see how much you enjoy your internship and what projects you’ve worked on. It also gives the interviewer insight into what kind of work you do, which can help them decide if you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, try to pick something that shows you have initiative and creativity.

Example: “My favorite project so far was when I helped my team create an app that would allow users to order food from our restaurant through their phones. We had to figure out how to use different coding languages to make it user-friendly and efficient. The entire process took us about two months, but we were able to successfully launch the app in time for the grand opening of our new location.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to solve a problem on the job.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue and what the outcome was.

Example: “At my internship last summer, I noticed that our company’s website wasn’t loading properly on mobile devices. This meant that customers were unable to access some of our products when they tried to buy them online. My supervisor and I decided to work together to find out why the website wasn’t working properly. We started by testing the site on different browsers and operating systems. After doing so, we found that the website only worked on desktop computers but not laptops or tablets.

We then tested the website on other websites with similar coding languages. We found that the website was only having issues because of an outdated plugin. Once we updated the plugin, the website began functioning properly again.”

If you could create your own programming language, what would it look like?

This question is a great way to test your creativity and problem-solving skills. It also allows the interviewer to see how you would apply those skills in an actual work environment. Your answer should include examples of what features it would have, why you chose them and how they would benefit users.

Example: “If I could create my own programming language, I would make it more intuitive for developers to use. I would want to eliminate as many errors as possible so that programmers don’t spend too much time troubleshooting their code. I would also add new features that allow users to customize their experience based on their preferences.”

What would you do if you noticed a bug in the code you wrote?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your work, even if it contains errors.

Example: “If I noticed a bug in the code I wrote, I would first try to figure out what caused it. If I was able to determine the cause of the error, I would fix it immediately. If I wasn’t sure what caused the problem, I would ask my supervisor or another member of the team for advice on how to proceed. In either case, I would make sure to document the issue so that I could refer back to it later.”

How well do you communicate with other members of the development team?

As a computer science intern, you will likely work with other members of the development team. Employers ask this question to make sure you can communicate effectively and efficiently with your teammates. Use your answer to show that you are a strong communicator who is able to collaborate with others.

Example: “I am very good at communicating with my teammates. I always try to be as clear as possible when explaining concepts or ideas. When working in teams, it’s important to share information so everyone understands what they need to do. I also like to ask questions if I’m unsure about something because it helps me learn more about the project.”

Do you have any experience working in a team environment?

Computer science is a collaborative field, so employers want to know that you have experience working with others. They may ask this question to see if you can adapt to their team and how your previous teams functioned. In your answer, try to describe what made your team successful and highlight any leadership qualities you had in the past.

Example: “In my last internship, I worked on a small team of three people. We were tasked with creating an algorithm for a new software program. My teammates and I each took different roles within the project. One person was responsible for gathering data, another wrote the code and I created the user interface. By dividing up the work, we were able to complete our task ahead of schedule.”

When was the last time you tried something new and learned something in the process?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your willingness to try new things and how you approach learning. This can be a great opportunity for you to talk about something that happened recently, but it can also be helpful if you choose an experience from the past that helped you develop as a person or professional.

Example: “Last semester I took a class on coding languages. It was challenging at first because I had never learned any of those languages before, but I really enjoyed the challenge. I ended up getting an A in the class, which made me feel proud of myself for trying something new.”

We want to hire interns who want to pursue a career in this field. What do you hope to gain from this internship?

This question helps employers determine if you’re a good fit for their company. They want to know that you’re passionate about computer science and excited to learn more about the field. When answering this question, make sure to mention what you hope to gain from your internship experience.

Example: “I’m hoping to gain valuable work experience in my field of study. I’ve been working toward my degree in computer science for several years now, so I’m ready to put all of my knowledge into practice. I also hope to develop new skills as an intern at this company. I have heard great things about the culture here, so I am eager to see how I can contribute to it.”

Describe your experience with computer science projects so far.

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with computer science projects. Employers ask this question because they want to know if you’re ready for the internship and what your previous work was like. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your experience level. If you don’t have any experience yet, explain that you are eager to learn more about computer science projects.

Example: “I’ve had some experience working on computer science projects in my high school classes. In my sophomore year, I worked on a project where we created our own video game. We learned how to code using Python and built our games using Scratch. My team won first place at the state competition.”

What makes you a good fit for our company?

Employers ask this question to see if you did your research on their company. Before your interview, make sure you read the job description and familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement and values. In your answer, try to relate what you’ve learned about the company to your own personal goals and values.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for your company because of my commitment to excellence in everything I do. When I applied for this internship, I read through your website and was impressed by how much you value innovation. As someone who is always looking for ways to improve processes, I know that I could bring new ideas to your team. I also believe that I am a good fit for your company because of my ability to work well as part of a team. Throughout my academic career, I have been involved in many group projects and can confidently say that I am an excellent collaborator.”

Which computer science concepts do you find the most challenging?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach challenges and whether you have a growth mindset. It can also show them that you are aware of your own weaknesses, which is an important trait for computer science professionals to have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention concepts that you’ve overcome in the past or those that you’re currently working on improving.

Example: “I find data structures and algorithms to be the most challenging aspects of computer science. I’m always looking for ways to improve my understanding of these concepts, so I recently started taking online courses to learn more about them. I think learning from other people’s experiences will help me understand these concepts better.”

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the computer science industry today?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you approach challenges. It also helps them understand what your priorities are in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that is relevant to the company or industry you’re interviewing for.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing the computer science industry today is finding qualified candidates who have the right skills and knowledge to fill open positions. I think there’s a lot of misinformation about what computer scientists do, which makes it difficult to attract talent. I would like to work on developing programs that make computer science more accessible to people with different backgrounds.”

How often do you update your resume and portfolio?

Employers ask this question to see how often you update your resume and portfolio. They want to know that you are constantly improving your skills, updating your resume and adding new projects to your portfolio. In your answer, explain that you have a regular schedule for updating these documents.

Example: “I update my resume every six months and add new projects to my portfolio once they’re complete. I also make sure to keep all of my computer software updated so I can use the latest versions when working on projects.”

There is a bug in the code you wrote. What is your process for troubleshooting and fixing it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Your answer should include the steps you would take to troubleshoot, identify the bug and fix it.

Example: “I would first read through my code thoroughly to see if I missed anything. If that doesn’t help, I would then check for any syntax errors in the code. After that, I would run the program again to see if there are any runtime errors. If not, I would go back into the code and look for logical bugs. Finally, I would make sure all of the changes I made were correct.”