Frequently Asked Questions

What technologies will I learn, and what’s the focus of the program?

While our primary tech stack is .NET and C#, the program emphasizes core software engineering principles over specific tools. You'll work on projects ranging from debugging exercises to full-scale enterprise cloud applications.

Does anyone profit from the program?

No - Web Surfing Studios is structured as a corporate entity for liability reasons, similar to many non-profits. However, no one earns a profit from the mentorships or the websites we create. We file an annual tax return showing no income, and in fact, we personally cover the costs of servers, tools, and other resources needed to keep everything running.

What is the structure and timeline of the program?

The program starts with a self-paced training phase. Once completed, you'll move into team-based project phases that resemble real-world development environments. The full timeline is flexible and depends on your pace.

Is the program suitable for someone with bootcamp experience or six months of coding practice?

Yes – the program begins with foundational material but is not beginner-level. Success depends on your commitment and ability to independently learn and apply new concepts.

How are mentorship and feedback handled?

Phase 1 is self-directed. In Phases 2 and 3, we hold regular group meetings and offer one-on-one support upon request. Mentorship is modeled after a professional environment—guidance is available, but participants are expected to take initiative.

What does a typical week look like?

We operate like a remote-first company with weekly sprint planning and refinement meetings. Outside of those, you're free to manage your schedule, collaborate with peers, and complete assigned tasks.

Are projects completed individually or as part of a team?

The initial phase is individual. Later phases involve collaborative projects where each member owns specific tasks that contribute to team goals—similar to a real-world workplace.

Is there a cost to participate?

No – the program is entirely free. We are a nonprofit initiative, and no one is paid or profits from participation.

Do I need to be enrolled in a school or university to participate?

No – this is an independent community program open to anyone, regardless of academic background.

Are participants allowed to work other jobs or internships while in the program?

Yes – this is a flexible, extracurricular program. You’re free to work elsewhere as long as you meet the program’s minimum participation requirements and agree to our NDA.

Can I showcase my work on GitHub or in a portfolio?

You may link to live project URLs and describe your contributions, but the source code itself has many proprietary libraries built by the leads and should not be published or shared—just like in a professional company.

Is this a paid internship or can it lead to a full-time job?

No – this is an unpaid, educational program. Web Surfing Studios is a nonprofit organization and does not offer employment.

Will I receive certification or documentation upon completion?

Sort of – we can verify your participation and provide references, which can be shared with schools or potential employers, but we don't offer a specific certificate.

Can the internship count for academic credit?

Possibly. While rare, we’re happy to share our syllabus with your school so they can decide whether to award credit.

Are there networking or career support opportunities?

We offer internal networking through our member directory and frequent discussions around career development. However, we do not host external events or job placement services.

How is progress tracked throughout the program?

We provide feedback during meetings and track individual progress through completed assignments, sprint tasks, and contributions to projects.

How many people are currently involved, and what projects are underway?

We have over 50 active members working on a variety of web and cloud-based applications, all intended to simulate real-world, enterprise-level development.

Interested in joining?

Apply