LinkedIn's "First Play" Program Overview & How to Crack the 1st Round

The [in]side Scoop 🍨 on LinkedIn’s Brand New “First Play” Program

What is the “First Play” program?

First Play is LinkedIn’s brand-new internship program designed specifically for underclassmen, meaning freshmen and sophomores who are early in their computer science or technical degrees. Unlike most internships that only target juniors and seniors, this one is intentionally built for students who are just getting started.

It’s a paid, 12-week software engineering internship where students don’t just shadow, they build. Interns work on real engineering projects, collaborate with full-time engineers, and get exposed to how products at LinkedIn are actually developed at scale.

Program basics at a glance:

• Who it’s for: Freshmen & sophomores in technical majors

• Role type: Software Engineering Intern

• Length: 12 weeks (Summer: late May – mid-August)

• Location: Mountain View, CA (hybrid)

• Pay: Hourly compensation + relocation support if needed

• Experience: Real projects, mentorship, cohort programming, and professional development

You won’t just be coding in isolation; you’ll be learning how engineering fits into a larger product organization, how teams collaborate, how code moves from idea to production, and what it actually looks like to work as an engineer inside a major tech company.

“First Play” Requirements & Qualifications:

LinkedIn is not expecting underclassmen to be expert engineers yet, but they are looking for strong foundations, curiosity, and growth potential. Here’s what they’re really looking for, in plain language:

• Currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college

• Majoring in (or closely related to):

  • Computer Science

  • Computer Engineering

  • Software Engineering

  • Or another technical STEM field

• Basic programming experience in at least one language such as:

  • Python

  • Java

  • C++

  • Rust

• Exposure to:

  • Data structures & algorithms

  • Intro-level software development

• Demonstrated interest in technology, AI, or building products

• Participation in things like:

  • Coding clubs

  • Hackathons

  • Personal projects

  • School projects

• Strong emphasis on:

  • Curiosity

  • Coachability

  • Willingness to learn

  • Openness to feedback

  • Collaboration skills

And importantly: prior internship experience is not required. This program is intentionally designed to meet students where they are early in their journey.

What “First Play” is a fantastic opportunity right now!

It’s no secret that the job market has been tough this year. With the current administration DEI programs have been slashed and AI is literally pulling up the career ladder as we speak. Despite all of that, LinkedIn is launching “First Play,” effectively saying: “We believe in investing in early talent, even when the macro looks uncertain.”

For undergraduates, especially first- and second-years, this could be a game-changer: opportunities to gain real world experience before the competition (already thin for juniors/seniors) becomes even more fierce. First Play helps lower the barrier to entry; you don’t need a fancy resume or prior internships to apply, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

For many students who might otherwise feel shut out from internships until later in their college career, this is a shot at getting a meaningful start — not just “something on the resume,” but real coding experience, mentorship, exposure to large-scale engineering work, and a pathway to grow into full-blown software engineers.

My POV + Advice + Why I’m Excited

I haven’t applied to First Play (since it launched long after my own underclassman years). But I have gone through LinkedIn’s interview process (for their Associate Product Manager) program, and made it all the way to the final round. From that experience, I have some thoughts that feel relevant for anyone considering First Play, especially if you aspire to eventually land a “traditional” internship or full-time role at LinkedIn.

I know firsthand how intense LinkedIn’s screening can be: strong technical fundamentals are a must, but you also have to show clear thinking, the ability to learn quickly, and strong communication — all things that First Play seems to value too (given their focus on growth, foundational skills, openness to feedback, and mentorship).

For underclassmen, “no prior internship experience” doesn’t have to be a blocker. In my own APM interview cycle, what mattered was clarity of thought, strong articulation of problems and solutions, and a willingness to learn and adapt. I believe those same traits (not necessarily a stacked resume) are what can help a First Play applicant stand out.

So while I’m not writing this as someone who applied to First Play, I am writing from a place of partial inside knowledge 😉 . And because I want this to be as actionable as possible for you…

Keep reading to access my exact resume, cover letter, and personal toolbox for cracking that first round! ⤵️ 

Your Action Plan

Apply ASAP! The deadline to apply is TOMORROW, December 7th!

🔗 Link to Apply: https://bit.ly/4pLQj7I

Your Resources/Toolbox

This is your sign to go for it. Apply scared. Apply early. Apply even if you think you’re “not ready.” First Play isn’t about being perfect; it’s about potential. I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines. LET’S GO! 🚀