Curious how UC Berkeley students landed their internships? Explore their stories and learn how they found their opportunities.
Arda Hoke
Arda’s path to his first internship at a renowned cancer research lab didn’t start with a polished resume, it started with curiosity, projects, and a chance conversation.
As a first-generation college student and transfer from MiraCosta College, access to support for navigating careers wasn’t always easy to find. After striking up a chat with someone he met off campus, they grabbed coffee, and by the end of the conversation, he had been invited to join Scripps Research.
At Scripps, Arda used his technical skills to build tools that help cancer researchers accelerate important cancer research and explore potential new treatment therapies.
His love for computer science to drive impact is at the core of everything Arda does. At UC Berkeley, he explores a wide range of areas, from AI to nanotech, learning by building creative experiments that push the limits of what “should” work. Arda follows in Berkeley’s tradition of bold thinkers whose breakthroughs once seemed impossible, using curiosity and creativity to explore how technology can drive real-world impact.
Since his first internship at Scripps, Arda has continued to push his professional growth in exciting directions. He was selected as one of just 29 scholars for the Accel Scholars Program, a VC-backed initiative that provides mentorship from top engineering and product leaders, helping him sharpen his skills in technology and entrepreneurship and reach towards his goals of being a CEO someday.
If you’re looking for ways to start building experience, consider:
- completing a 2–3 hour “micro-internship” on Forage, where UC Berkeley students can work on short, project-based experiences with top employers
- attending a workshop this semester to learn how to start conversations and build meaningful professional connections
- browsing our curated collection of internships and jobs from employers currently recruiting this semester
- scheduling an appointment with a career educator to talk through your goals and next step
UC Berkeley is excited to celebrate and showcase the success stories of our diverse student community. We want to uplift those who are serving as role models on campus by encouraging you to share your career achievements and inspire your peers. If you’d like to be featured on our social media platforms and website, complete the form linked here.