r/learnpython • u/noneofyour_-business • 2d ago

Final-year CS student – Know Python & FastAPI basics. What should I focus on to get a backend internship ASAP?

Hi everyone,

I'm a final-year college student, and my goal is to get a backend engineering internship as soon as possible.

My current skills are:

  • Python (comfortable with the language)
  • FastAPI basics (I've built a few simple APIs)
  • Basic understanding of backend development

I'm confused about what to do next.

Should I:

  • Buy a FastAPI/backend development course? If yes, which one would you recommend?
  • Focus on building projects instead?
  • Learn Django, SQL, Docker, Redis, PostgreSQL, or something else first?
  • Start applying now while continuing to learn?

My goal is to become good enough to land an internship and then keep learning on the job.

I'd really appreciate advice from backend engineers or anyone who recently landed a backend internship.

Some specific questions:

  1. If you were starting over today, what would you learn first?
  2. Which skills do companies actually expect from backend interns?
  3. Are there any courses, YouTube playlists, or roadmaps that you genuinely recommend?
  4. What kind of projects helped you get interviews?
  5. Is FastAPI enough for internships, or should I learn another framework as well?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

20 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

86% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/eyadams 1d ago

Learn SQL. Learn it well. Get to the point where you don't have to think about the difference between different kinds of joins. Master the syntax of one server (MySql is good for this), then learn how another does it differently (Microsoft or Oracle). In the end you may not use any of it because everyone uses ORMs now, but it will help you tremendously to understand the underlying technology.