At Ada Developers Academy, we offer a comprehensive intern screening and matching process that has earned the trust and loyalty of our corporate partners. This process is unique to Ada and the key to our success in producing successful junior software developers from underrepresented backgrounds. We not only screen for technical skills but also soft skills, a passion for technology, collaboration, and perseverance.

1. Our rigorous application process screens for technical skills and value-alignment.

We understand that our partners are looking for top-notch software engineering interns who can add value to their organization immediately.

The application process includes an online application, a technical interview, and a behavioral interview. Each part of the application process is designed to evaluate an applicant’s desire to enter the tech industry, passion for Ada’s mission, and readiness to thrive in the program. All phases after the application are by invitation only.

Step 1: Applicants submit an online application.

We screen for applicants that:

• Demonstrate an interest in becoming a software developer and have spent time self-learning how to code
• Commitment and involvement with community or volunteer activities
• Demonstrated examples of leadership
• A clear desire to join Ada that goes beyond receiving a technical education
• Ability to learn problem solve and learn something new to accomplish a given task
• Grit and determination to enter tech
• Demonstrated ability to persist through setbacks and learn from mistakes
• Ability to communicate thought processes, assumptions, and conclusions

Step 2: Invited applicants receive a code challenge and technical interview.

In the interview, applicants are asked to work out different approaches, variations, or extensions to see how they approach a problem and communicate their proposed solution. We are looking for:

• Programming Fundamentals: They have invested time learning Python since our program does not start at a pure beginner level.
• How well can they solve problems?
• Ability to clearly communicate their solution and thought process
• Ability to receive and implement feedback effectively

Step 3: Applicants undergo a virtual behavioral interview.

We are looking for:

• Passion for software development and Ada’s social justice mission
• Aptitude for learning and excelling in Ada’s collaborative and inclusive focused program
• The drive and ambition to thrive at Ada

2. Customized, Proprietary Matching Process

After students undergo the 6-month training, we host an interview week where students interview with all the corporate partner hiring managers. It’s an opportunity for partners to have input in who they choose. In addition to the interviews, we ask students to fill out a proprietary questionnaire. Information from this survey is utilized to assign the student to a partner to ensure the best fit.

At Ada, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We take the time to understand our partners’ needs and requirements and use this information to customize our intern matching process. We ensure our partners get interns who have the right skills and mesh with their organization’s culture.

3. Ongoing Support and Communication

We understand that our partners’ success is our success. Therefore, we provide ongoing support and communication to ensure our interns meet our partners’ expectations (and vice versa). We also provide regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and performance evaluations.

After the internship is complete, many interns become full-time junior software developers and move up the ranks into leadership positions.

A proven process

Our proprietary screening and matching process has seen incredible success. At Amazon, we’ve placed over 100 Ada interns into full-time software development roles. We work behind the scenes to ensure the interns provided are a good fit, taking things off the plate of hiring managers and recruiters.

If you want to partner with Ada for your internship program needs, please contact us today. Or, if you’d like more information, check out our checklist to see if Ada is the right partner for your emerging talent needs.

Ada has developed a special formula for taking people with an interest in tech, and turning them into people who can contribute to a code base on day one.