Breaking into Tech: A Guide to Apple's Machine Learning Internship Program

Apple, a globally renowned trillion-dollar company, offers desirable internship programs in today’s technical and corporate job market. If you’re wondering how to get an internship at Apple, whether it’s hard to do so, or what an Apple intern does, you’ve come to the right place. If you are a recent college graduate, a current student, or an established professional looking to find out how to get an internship at Apple, then this article is for you. Continue reading to learn about internship opportunities, salary ranges, and what to do to increase your chances of success.

Apple: A Tech Giant and Innovation Leader

Apple is an American multinational technology that deals in consumer electronics, software, and online services. It was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne as an Apple Consumer Company. Apple’s technology has dominated the global electronics market. The company has produced various products that delight customers, such as the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Airpod. It offers online streaming services through Apple TV and Apple music.

The Allure of an Apple Internship

Apple internship programs are desirable in today’s technical and corporate job market. Apple offers ample hands-on experience to college students and recent graduates through its Apple Support College Program. You can opt to apply for a summer internship or one of Apple’s co-op internship programs. There are no high school internship opportunities, and you must be enrolled in college or graduate school to gain access to the programs.

An Apple intern works with full-time Apple employees and contributes toward critical projects. Apple’s internship programs are based on the notion of bringing in contributors rather than spectators. This means as an intern your duties won’t be limited to administrative or surface-level tasks. You will have a critical role to play within your department.

Based on Apple’s category ratings across key job search platforms, it is evident that interns value Apple’s internship programs. According to Apple intern reviews on Indeed, the company scores an overall rating of four out of five. Apple interns report a 4.1 rating for its pay and benefits, and for its work culture. The same internship experience sentiment is echoed in Apple intern reviews on Glassdoor, where the company has a 4.4 rating. However, Apple has also received several negative reviews for its internship program.

The Competitive Landscape: Is It Hard to Get an Apple Internship?

Yes, it is hard to get an internship job at Apple due to its corporate status and competitive environment. At the time of writing, Apple is offering only 10 student internship positions across its US offices. There are no published statistics on the Apple internship acceptance rate. However, it isn’t impossible to land them. As Apple only hires quality individuals with impressive skills and a passion for innovation, these positions can be difficult to land.

Decoding the Apple Machine Learning/AI Internship

The Apple Machine Learning/AI Internship-PAID is available to students pursuing PhD, master's, or bachelor's degree in machine learning, human computer interaction, natural language processing, robotics, computer science, data science, statistics or related areas. As Machine Learning / AI Intern at Apple, you can enjoy several benefits and opportunities to contribute to your professional growth and development. Flexible working hours of approximately 40hrs per week.

Core Requirements for Machine Learning Interns

You must have in-depth expertise in deep learning (DL) and statistical machine learning (ML), expertise in one or more of CV, HCI, NLP, optimization, RL, machine translation, time series, generative models, signals, pattern recognition fields, and/or computer graphics fields, and strong publication record demonstrating innovative research to be considered for this position. You will join an extraordinary team, including world-class software engineers and leading machine learning practitioners who are all passionate about applying groundbreaking techniques to AI. As an intern, you will work on some of the most ambitious technical problems, develop new ML solutions that will impact future Apple products, and collaborate with the best product teams to integrate your ideas into products.

Exploring Available Internship Opportunities

The internship opportunities at Apple, especially in the US, are few. Below are the top types of Apple internship jobs available, as well as a description of what they entail.

Chemistry Internship

This chemistry internship is an excellent opportunity for chemistry majors with career aspirations of working in the research and development sector related to biochemistry and data analytics. You will assist Apple’s sensing technology research and development team in in-field innovation.

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Cartography Internship

A cartography internship at Apple is apt for people looking to land a full-time position in the architecture or geography field. As an intern, you’ll enhance Apple’s map systems and design.

Product Design Internship

An Apple product design internship can be a great career booster for current graduate students getting a degree in product management or data analytics. This internship requires you to possess intermediate data science, computer science, and product development skills. During your product design internship at Apple, you will work with several departments, including finance, legal, product marketing, analytics, product management, and engineering.

Legal Internship

As an aspiring lawyer, an Apple legal internship will help you stand out in the candidacy pool. This internship is best suited for first-year law students looking to build a corporate law or product law career and individuals with integrity. You will collaborate with Apple paralegals and attorneys in the investigation and litigation process and help the company’s in-house legal staff during the internship period. This position focuses on the legality of the company’s business, procurement, and finance departments.

Software Engineering Internship

If you want to solidify your software development experience, the Apple software engineering internship is a great choice. Your tasks will cover backend development with Siri, web development, and core OS design and development. During the program, you’ll work with influential technology leaders on the engineering team to master original thinking so that you can help the company create extraordinary products and amazing technology.

Mechanical Engineering Internship

The Apple mechanical engineering internship will allow you to work with Apple hardware systems. This is an advanced internship position that requires in-depth electrical, systems, and computer engineering skills, as Apple values its quality standards and phenomenal products.

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AI/Deep Learning Internship

For those enrolled in artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, or research graduate programs, this internship will help you land a full-time role in the AI field. You will develop solutions to improve Apple’s audio and speech recognition systems.

Machine Learning Internship

If you have always wanted to work with Siri, the Apple machine learning internship is for you. It requires you to enhance Siri’s natural language processing, speech recognition, and machine learning capabilities.

MBA Internship

If you want to land a job in program management at a top tech company, the Apple MBA internship is a great opportunity. You will work in the procurement and operations department from the mass production stage to the product launch stage.

Location: Santa Clara Valley, CA

Eligibility Requirements: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in business, engineering, economics, marketing, or engineering departments.

Business Marketing and G&A Internships

Apple offers a variety of business marketing and G&A internships, and this is the perfect opportunity for students looking to enhance their understanding of business, marketing, and innovative technologies subject areas. This internship opportunity is offered under several departments, including legal, business, university relations, and marketing.

Compensation and Benefits

Apple internship salaries vary by internship position, job title, and location. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for Apple interns is $65,015. Some of the highest Apple internship salaries are given to MBA, data scientists, and hardware engineer interns who earn $64, $58, and $47 per hour, respectively. The estimated salary for Machine Learning / AI Intern role ranges from $49,000 - $84,000 per year.

Navigating the Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The steps required to apply for an Apple internship are pretty straightforward and similar to most online job applications. Below is a step-by-step guide to applying for an Apple internship position.

Explore the various available opportunities. The first step is to explore the various available opportunities.
Apply for the position. The next step is to apply for the position. Get in touch with your college advisers or professors for a recommendation letter and boost your candidacy chances.
Demonstrate your passion. To stand out in the candidate pool among the dozens of internship applications, make sure to demonstrate a love for technology and innovation when you fill up your Apple internship application form.
The Interview Process. If your initial application impresses the hiring manager, you will be invited for an interview. You will have a preliminary phone interview with an Apple recruiter. If successful, you will participate in the next interview round. The Apple internship interview process is your time to showcase that you are a candidate who wants to join the tech firm to learn and contribute to the company’s growth.
E-Verify Program. If you pass the second interview round, you might be subjected to Apple’s E-Verify program depending on your location.

Tips for Success: Landing Your Dream Internship

Coding bootcamps have risen in popularity across top tech companies. By attending a top coding bootcamp you will get an all-rounded education and the career prep you need to excel during the hiring process. Along with submitting an impressive application, a great way to increase your internship chances is to have the support of a reputable faculty. The last and most important tip is to practice for your interview rounds so you are ready for any questions they may throw at you. Excelling in your interview session will significantly increase your chances of getting hired.

Making the Decision: Should You Accept an Apple Internship?

Yes, you should accept an internship at Apple if you want to increase your chances of pursuing lucrative tech and non-tech-based jobs while getting an excellent compensation package. Getting an internship at Apple allows you to actively participate in innovative projects and learn from the best industry experts.

Additional Insights: Addressing Common Questions

Is there a summer Apple internship program?

Yes, there is an Apple summer internship program that requires you to commit forty hours per week. Summer internships are a great opportunity to earn experience and money during your off time from college.

How much do Apple interns make?

According to Glassdoor, Apple interns make an average salary of $65,015 per year. This can vary depending on your level of experience, location, and the specific internship program that you choose.

What types of internships does Apple offer?

Apple offers various types of internships in several tech and non-tech areas, including software engineering, product design, machine learning, chemistry, business, and marketing. These roles open up a variety of job opportunities.

Is it hard to get an internship at Apple?

Yes, it is hard to get an internship at Apple due to its reputation and high level of competition. Millions of people use Apple products, and they are one of the biggest tech giants in the world. If you want to stand out, make sure to submit a stellar application and prepare thoroughly for your interview.

Apple's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation. Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Apple is a drug-free workplace. Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. offers a diversified and inclusive culture as its core values include ‘inclusion and diversity, accessibility, education, environment, supplier responsibility, and privacy.’ Despite being driven by innovations, the company is into its core values and expects the same from its workforce.

A Real-Life Success Story: Quincy's Journey at Apple

The first time Quincy visited an Apple Store, he asked how he could get a job with Apple, too. He listened attentively as the team member described what it takes and recommended that, for now, he focus on furthering his education. When the time came, he enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. While a sophomore, he was hired as an Apple Support College Advisor, assisting Apple customers with their product questions. With guidance from his training, managers, and mentors, Quincy developed a range of professional skills, including teamwork, collaboration, and empathetic communication. In his first role at the group’s offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, Quincy supported people at Apple similarly to how he supported customers as an Advisor. These days, he helps oversee major systems at Apple. And as always, he’s hoping there’s more to come. “The Advisor experience laid the foundation for me. When you start a career at Apple, you’ll realize you’re not the only one who wants you to succeed. You can expect the respect and support of an inclusive community throughout your time here.

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