Interning at Facebook vs Tesla

Microsoft / Eng
swintern

Go to company page Microsoft Eng

swintern
Feb 27, 2019 27 Comments

Hey guys. I have the opportunity to join either Tesla Autopilot or Facebook for a summer SWE internship. I was wondering if you guys had any advice regarding which to choose based on their culture, career growth, and compensation?

I'm a bit torn because the work at Tesla seems really cool, high impact, and cutting edge (I honestly think self driving cars are the future) but the compensation isn't great and I've heard some bad things about the culture. On the other hand FB comp is great and is supposed to have a great culture, but I feel like the work won't be as cool or interesting (team matching doesn't occur until later so I won't know what team I'm on until after I've accepted).

Do you guys have any thoughts? Would also really appreciate some advice from people that currently work there!

Update 1:
I would still have 2 more internships after this summer so I can definitely try to reapply to the company I end up not taking.

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TOP 27 Comments
  • New / Product
    qGcU18

    New Product

    BIO
    Designer and business development prefers working with innovation teams, design labs. Highly conceptual, communications, motivator and team leader.
    qGcU18
    Tesla. Internship value is not measured in dollars and cents. Facebook is not the future.
    Feb 27, 2019 6
    • Tesla
      AutopiIot

      Go to company page Tesla

      AutopiIot
      Not sure if FB still has the 90k return intern signing bonus, but FB would probably be better for your career, though Autopilot is great btw
      Feb 28, 2019
    • Microsoft / Eng
      swintern

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      swintern
      OP
      @anonna I could be mistaken but I've had a few of my friends get the rockstar offer and I think their TC did almost come out to 300k for the 1st year. But I agree in that it is very hard to get that rating and I shouldn't expect it
      Feb 28, 2019
  • Apple
    hakunanaMa

    Go to company page Apple

    hakunanaMa
    Tesla , also wait for Elons tweet tomorrow
    Feb 27, 2019 0
  • Google
    drains

    Go to company page Google

    drains
    Tesla autopilot.
    Feb 27, 2019 0
  • Walmart.com / Eng
    äččä

    Go to company page Walmart.com Eng

    äččä
    Tesla. Internship is all about learning and not about earning 20K more. While at Facebook too you would learn a lot, I think you can get that opportunity later too (direct full-time). It is much harder to get autonomous driving positions calls directly. Source: I tried to interview at Tesla and Uber ATG. If you like self driving so much that you would be ready to take a pay cut, you can go to Tesla as a FTE, if you want high pay, go to Uber or Cruise.
    Feb 28, 2019 0
  • Tesla
    HQkV78

    Go to company page Tesla

    HQkV78
    Tesla overall is a very subpar company, especially for full time. Very low TC, no perks, hiring freeze, promotion freeze, uncertain future.. the decision has to be solely experience driven to set you up for full time. Whatever you do, i would not recommend tesla for fulltime over another top company unless it’s really dope ass experience, and if you are ok with the uncertainty (layoffs, low pay, etc)
    Feb 28, 2019 3
    • Tesla
      HQkV78

      Go to company page Tesla

      HQkV78
      In that case, there’s no harm choosing tesla (unless of course you have monetary restrictions since tesla internships underpay quite a bit in comparison to other companies).
      Feb 28, 2019
    • Tesla
      dkxidjsn

      Go to company page Tesla

      dkxidjsn
      Sounds like this is an important decision for your career. I agree with HQkV78 100%.

      FB would be relatively stress free and you should be able to learn a lot and enjoy work life while at it. Tesla has no perks, stress is high especially with all the layoffs. But the "impact" of the work at Tesla might definitely be higher. Maybe even going into production right in the next release. But honestly if I was in your shoes I'd go for FB.
      Feb 28, 2019