Hack Your Summer
Hack Your Summer is a free 4-week production sprint for US undergraduate and graduate students who couldn't secure an internship due to the current hiring slowdown. Participants build real, public-facing projects with mentorship and peer support. A second cohort starts July 13; students can apply by July 8, and volunteer mentors are also needed.
Background
- DJ Patil is a prominent technologist who served as the first U.S. Chief Data Scientist under President Obama; his endorsement signals this is a serious initiative.
- Hack Your Summer is a free, 4-week virtual program where students build real, public-facing projects—designed as an alternative to traditional summer internships.
- The program is a direct response to a "summer internship crisis": in 2025, many U.S. tech companies cut internship programs, rescinded offers, or reduced hiring, leaving students without the industry experience they'd normally get.
- "High-velocity production sprint" means participants work intensively on a single project from idea to shippable prototype, guided by mentors, rather than taking classes or doing busywork.
- The first cohort was already held; a second (free) cohort starts July 13, 2025, with a July 8 application deadline. They also need volunteer mentors.