There are so many reasons to consider internships, especially as a university student. The most important one is that it gives you a chance to develop real-world work experience. Many multinational companies, like Nintendo, offer internships to help students build their resumes.
Nintendo offers great opportunities for students who want to go into software engineering, game design, and more. This guide will show you how to get an internship with Nintendo. It’ll also detail some of the internship positions the company offers and what the application process is like.
What Is Nintendo? A Brief Nintendo Background
Famously known for gaming devices such as the Game Boy, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo DS, Nintendo is a Japanese company that was founded in 1889. The multinational consumer electronics firm has its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. However, Nintendo of America, the US division of the company, is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
The game development company has ventured into other small businesses from time to time but is primarily known for its popular video games like Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. As a staple in the video game and entertainment industry, the company recorded net sales of nearly $16 billion in 2021.
Does Nintendo Hire Students?
Nintendo hires students as interns in different departments such as IT, engineering, management, and marketing. The internships are open to students that are enrolled in accredited colleges. The internship programs typically take place during the summer season and last for a few months.
Nintendo Internships: General Overview
Nintendo internships are mostly available during the summer. This way, students can attend the program and work full time in order to gain more experience. The job description for each internship job at Nintendo varies with the job role.
What Does a Nintendo Intern Do?
Nintendo interns contribute to projects and offer support to other Nintendo professionals when necessary. For example, they may be required to handle data analysis and content creation for social media. Others will collaborate with teammates and work on new projects and ideas that can benefit the company. Some interns may even get to work on an actual game project. Interns also take part in other office activities such as meetings.
Nintendo Internship Reviews: What Is the Experience Like?
According to Comparably, interns should try to work at a company that helps them with career development. However, the site also gives Nintendo a D+ in professional development because many employees reported that they are not challenged and do not have mentors.
That being said, 75 percent of respondents did say that Nintendo was invested in their career growth. Further, 26 employees and reviewers gave the company a B rating for happiness. In addition, 36 employee interns gave the company a B rating for leadership.
Is It Hard to Get an Internship at Nintendo?
It is hard to get an internship at Nintendo because there are only a few internships available per year. Since an array of students will apply for internship openings, the competition for those slots will be tight. However, you can secure an internship with Nintendo with adequate preparation.
Nintendo Intern Salaries: How Much Does a Nintendo Internship Pay?
According to Glassdoor, Nintendo interns earn an average of $20 per hour. However, this compensation may differ depending on the type of job you’ll be performing. Software engineering and other more technical roles will likely earn more.
How to Apply for a Nintendo Internship: A Step-by-Step Guide
To apply for a Nintendo internship, you need to prepare the necessary documents. The main document you will need is your resume. To learn about the complete application process, check out the steps below.
Step 1: Fill In Basic Information
To apply on the site, you first need to register on the career site. To register, you will need to fill in some basic personal details. It should only take a few minutes to do this. However, you should ensure that you fill everything out carefully to avoid mistakes.
The first information you will be required to fill in is from your resume. If you have relevant skills such as programming, data analysis, and data warehousing, be sure to mention them.
Step 2: Upload Your Resume
Next, you will need to upload your resume to Nintendo’s career site. When creating your resume, remember to add only useful information that helps you stand out among your peers. It is important that you detail your education level, as well as any hard and soft skills you have. You can also mention relevant student life activities you are involved in on campus.
Step 3: Apply
After uploading and adding any required information, simply click on the apply button to send in your application. If you pass the first stage of the internship approval process, you’ll be invited for an interview. When applying to intern job openings, make sure that you are qualified for the role.
How to Get an Internship at Nintendo: Internship Opportunities in 2022
Nintendo of America has internship openings for both undergraduate and graduate school students in degree programs. In addition, you can choose between a technical or non-technical role. The roles offered are mostly summer internships and you will work in the corporate office alongside other skilled professionals in your field.
Intern – Cloud Tools Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Understand the basics of the Internet and HTTP as well as TCP and UDP
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
This Nintendo of America role is open to entry-level engineers who are interested in developing and researching cloud-based tooling. The ideal candidate will be a team player who can also work on individual assignments and will be available in the summer.
Intern – Developer Tools Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Strong programming skills in C#, C++, or Python
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
This role is for an intern in the engineering department who will join the developer tools team. Successful interns will work on different CPU tools such as libraries and compilers, cloud tools, software quality assurance, and automation tools. The candidate must also be a team player and a problem solver.
Intern – CPU Debugger Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Experience developing proficiently in C++ or C#
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
The Nintendo Developer Experience Team is seeking an engineer for an internship position in the summer. This candidate is required to have programming skills such as C++ and C# because they will assist other professionals in debugging, profiling, and analyzing the performance of certain lines of code. Also, the intern should have a passion for building tools and finding new ways to enhance productivity in the office.
Intern – Compiler Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Strong C or C++ skills
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
This role is open for entry-level engineers both on undergraduate and graduate levels. The intern will work during the summer period and will help deliver C++ compilers for Nintendo’s consoles. This intern will also work on other tasks such as improving test efficiency, completing different Posix tasks, and conducting various performance experiments.
Intern – GPU Profiler/Debugger Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Experience developing proficiently in C#, C++, or web technologies
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
This internship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, although master’s students are preferred. The selected candidate will work on debugging and GPU profiling tools. The internship will begin in the summer and requires an intern who is a team player and can handle individual assignments, as well. This candidate is also expected to have knowledge of graphics and be a problem solver.
Intern – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Requires strong C or C++ programming experience with some Linux exposure
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
Nintendo is searching for a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth software engineer intern to start in the summer. This intern will join the professionals responsible for evaluating wifi, prototyping, and Bluetooth technology with custom software and hardware. The intern will be responsible for testing software, hardware, and wireless protocol. They will also be responsible for creating design and test reports.
Intern – 3D Graphics API Software Engineer (NTD)
- Location: Redmond, WA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or an engineering-related field
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in C++
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: Summer 2022
This intern will work as a 3D graphics API software engineer. The intern will work with professionals who validate the high-performance 3D graphics API owned by Nintendo. The role is open to both graduate and undergraduate students studying computer science or related fields. However, the intern needs to have a knowledge of graphics, and be a team player and problem solver.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Nintendo Internship
There are a few things you can do to properly prepare for and increase your chances of getting a Nintendo internship. The application process closely resembles the hiring process of an actual job. The tips below can assist you throughout your internship application and interview process.
Prepare Your Documents
The most important document for every job seeker is a resume. You need to ensure that the document is up to date and relevant to the job role. As a student intern, you may not have a lot of experience to add. However, make sure you add all relevant skills as they can increase your chances of getting the internship.
Practice For the Interview
You need to pass an interview before getting an internship with Nintendo. This could be a behavioral or technical interview depending on the role you’re applying for. It helps to conduct mock interviews using common internship interview questions from job sites. You can find someone to practice with, as well.
Ask Questions
Be sure to thoroughly read about Nintendo and prepare some questions to ask your interviewer. Asking the right questions helps them see how dedicated you are to getting the job. It is also helpful to show a high level of confidence during the interview process. After the interview, you can send a thank you email to the interviewer with a call to action.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Should I Apply for an Internship at Nintendo?
You should apply for an internship at Nintendo if you are qualified for any of its summer internship programs. The program will help you to gain job experience and exposure to industry leaders. Also, it will help you to secure networking opportunities with professionals in the field. Lastly, the internship will help you to build a stronger resume and participate in meaningful projects.
Nintendo Internships FAQ
Yes, there is a summer Nintendo internship program for students. The available programs are suitable for students at an undergraduate and graduate educational level who are pursuing a computer science degree or studying related fields.
To apply for a Nintendo internship, you will be required to upload your resume to the career page after registration. You also need to fill in your basic personal details. When you are registered on the site, you can click on the apply button and wait for the next step. If your application is successful, you will get a call back for an interview.
You can increase your chances of landing a Nintendo internship by preparing for the application and interview process. First, make sure you have your documents ready. This may include your resume and cover letter. Next, make sure you prepare answers to essential interview questions that will likely be asked.
The Nintendo internship is worth it for students who want to get valuable hands-on work experience to add to their resumes. An internship also offers mentorship opportunities and a chance to experience the corporate world in a multinational company. Interns get to collaborate with one another and assist teams in building and maintaining software.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
