Computer science internship program prepares students for future employment
Recent USask graduate Chi Vu (BSc’25) experienced “incredible personal growth” as a student intern at a local digital products and services firm.
While studying computer science in USask’s College of Arts and Science, Vu enrolled in the Computer Science Professional Internship Program (CSPIP). As a result, she had the opportunity to work at a Saskatoon-based company as a software developer intern. Her experiences were very positive, and she now encourages other students to apply to take part in CSPIP.
“You will learn a lot—not just about the work environment, but about yourself,” said Vu, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree with high honours during USask’s 2025 Spring Convocation.
“Back in school, I often wondered how useful my courses would be in the workplace. CSPIP gave me the answer to that question,” she said. “It’s a window into the workings of a professional environment, a chance to observe different roles at play, and an assessment of whether a particular career aligns with your goals.”
CSPIP enables students to take the skills they learn in the classroom and apply and hone them in the workplace. Eligible students can participate in networking and career readiness opportunities and obtain 12 or 16 months of practical on-the-job experience with a sponsoring company prior to completing the final year of their undergraduate degree.
Between 2021 and 2023, 73% of CSPIP students reported receiving either part-time or full-time offers to continue working for their sponsoring company after they completed the internship program.