The 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a career in tech, especially within a company like Uber, can feel like navigating a complex roadmap. For students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in technology, the journey can present even steeper challenges. Recognizing this, Uber launched the Career Prep Fellows Program, a transformative seven-month initiative designed to bridge the gap and pave the way for aspiring technologists. The 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program offered a unique blend of virtual workshops, hands-on experience, and personalized mentorship, all aimed at equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to thrive in the competitive tech industry.

This program wasn’t just another internship preparation course; it was a comprehensive experience meticulously crafted to provide fellows with a holistic understanding of the tech landscape and Uber’s place within it. Through five intensive virtual workshops, fellows delved into critical areas ranging from mastering technical interview techniques to exploring diverse career paths within the computing field. The curriculum extended beyond theoretical knowledge, incorporating practical elements such as mock interviews and homework assignments designed to solidify technical skills and foster problem-solving abilities. A cornerstone of the program was the one-on-one mentorship pairing each fellow with an Uber Engineer, providing invaluable guidance and support throughout the seven months. Furthermore, the program fostered a strong sense of community by facilitating interactions with Uber’s employee resource groups, ensuring fellows felt supported and connected within the company culture.

A significant incentive for participants in the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was the opportunity to interview for a paid summer 2023 internship at Uber. This pathway to a real-world internship, contingent on meeting program requirements, underscored Uber’s commitment to investing in the fellows’ futures and providing tangible career advancement opportunities.

It’s important to note that this overview is based on the experiences of past participants and aims to provide insights into the program. It is not an official recruitment guide, and participation in the program does not guarantee selection for an internship or employment at Uber.

Who Should Apply: Ideal Candidates

The 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was specifically tailored for students in Computer Science or related fields who are at an early stage in their academic careers. The ideal candidate was typically a student with at least two summer internships remaining before graduation, placing the target cohort for the 2022 program in the graduating classes of 2025 and 2026. This focus on early-career students reflects the program’s commitment to providing foundational support and guidance at a critical juncture in their professional development.

Beyond academic standing, the program sought individuals who demonstrated a genuine passion for technology and a proactive approach to learning. While strong technical aptitude was certainly valued, the program also emphasized the importance of soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. The 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was designed to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only possessed technical prowess but also the interpersonal skills necessary to thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Diversity and Inclusion: A Core Mission

A key aspect of the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was its explicit focus on promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. Uber recognized the persistent underrepresentation of certain groups in STEM fields and designed this program as a strategic initiative to address this imbalance. The program’s dual objectives were clearly articulated: (1) to broaden access to high-quality computer science education and (2) to enhance diversity within Uber’s recruitment pipeline.

However, the program also acknowledged the inherent complexities in reconciling these goals with traditional recruitment practices that often prioritize students from elite universities. Reaching genuinely marginalized individuals, those who could benefit most from such programs, necessitates looking beyond the usual “target schools” and actively engaging with students from non-traditional academic backgrounds, including community colleges and universities outside the United States. The program aimed to identify and support bright, capable students who may have been overlooked due to systemic barriers or lack of access to opportunities, rather than solely focusing on students already thriving in highly competitive academic environments.

Navigating the Application Process

The application for the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was comprehensive, designed to assess candidates holistically. It comprised several key components:

• Resume: A standard resume highlighting academic achievements, relevant experiences, and technical skills.
• Transcript: An academic transcript to provide a formal record of coursework and grades.
• Interview Availability: Information regarding the applicant’s availability for interviews.
• Essay Questions: A series of essay questions designed to delve into the applicant’s motivations, experiences, and commitment to the program’s mission.

The essay questions were a critical element of the application, providing candidates with an opportunity to showcase their personality, values, and unique perspectives. The prompts were carefully crafted to align with the program’s goals and values. Paying close attention to the italicized portions of each prompt was crucial, as these often provided direct clues about what the program was specifically seeking in applicants’ responses. Authenticity and impact were key considerations when crafting essay responses. Applicants were encouraged to draw upon their most meaningful experiences and articulate their genuine selves.

Here’s a closer look at the essay questions from the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program application:

1. “How have you demonstrated a commitment to the Career Prep Program’s mission? The Career Prep Program aims to raise transparency around the steps necessary for embarking on a STEM career for traditionally underrepresented groups in tech and increase their representation in the industry. Share the actions you have taken, initiatives you have started, and programs you have participated in that demonstrate your commitment to this mission. 500 characters maximum.“

   This question sought to understand the applicant’s prior engagement with diversity and inclusion initiatives within the STEM field. Examples of relevant experiences could include mentorship programs, volunteer work, community outreach, or any activities aimed at supporting underrepresented groups in tech.

2. “What matters most to you, and why? Share the insights and experiences that shaped your perspective. This is an opportunity for you to illustrate who you are and how you came to be that person rather than discussing what you’ve done or accomplished. 500 characters maximum.“

   This question aimed to uncover the applicant’s core values and motivations. It was an opportunity to share personal narratives and experiences that had significantly shaped their worldview and personal development. The focus was on introspection and self-awareness rather than simply listing achievements.

3. “What are your immediate career goals after completing this program?”

   This question explored the applicant’s aspirations and how the program aligned with their short-term career objectives. It was important to demonstrate a clear understanding of how the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program could contribute to their professional growth and career trajectory.

4. “Please share a story about a time when you demonstrated perseverance.”

   This behavioral question assessed the applicant’s resilience and ability to overcome challenges. Sharing a specific, detailed story that illustrated perseverance in the face of adversity was crucial.

5. “In 140 characters or less, create a tweet to describe who you are.”

   This creative prompt tested the applicant’s ability to concisely and effectively communicate their personal brand. It encouraged applicants to think about their key attributes and present themselves in a memorable and engaging way, mimicking the brevity and impact of a tweet.

Interview Process and Timeline

The interview process for the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was structured and relatively swift. The application window typically spanned from December to mid-January. Invitations to interview were extended in early February, followed by preliminary interviews around mid-February.

The preliminary interview was a crucial stage in the selection process. It generally involved technical questions, often at the LeetCode easy level, focusing on fundamental data structures and algorithms. However, the interviewers were not solely assessing technical accuracy; they were equally interested in evaluating the candidate’s communication skills and ability to articulate their problem-solving process. Being able to clearly explain the thought process behind the code was as important as arriving at the correct solution.

Acceptances to the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program were communicated in late February. The program was highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 5% in the described year, highlighting the selective nature of the fellowship.

Workshop Curriculum: Key Learning Areas

The heart of the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program lay in its comprehensive workshop series. Five workshops, each spanning two days, were conducted virtually, covering a wide spectrum of topics essential for career readiness in the tech industry. These workshops were designed to be interactive and engaging, incorporating role-playing exercises and breakout sessions in addition to informative presentations.

Here’s a brief overview of each workshop and its key themes:

1. Workshop 1: Engineering in School vs. Industry, Inclusive Design, Interview Best Practices/Technical Role-play (March 2022)

   • Day 1: Focused on the transition from academic learning to industry practices. Topics included essential skills for success in both environments, strategies for selecting a first job, best practices on the job (system design, code documentation), and effective project delivery (“How to SHIP!”).
   • Day 2: Centered on interview preparation, particularly technical interviews. It covered the interview structure, interviewer expectations (problem-solving skills, code quality, communication, collaboration, curiosity), common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips for success (communication, planning, positive attitude, practice mock interviews).

2. Workshop 2: Resume/LinkedIn Advice, Job Search Tips, Elevator Pitches, Navigating Start of Intern/Job, Breakdown of What Engineers Earn (May 2022)

   • Day 1: Focused on building a strong professional brand. Topics included resume and LinkedIn optimization (content, wording, keywords), personal branding strategies, job search tips (networking, leveraging connections), and considerations for choosing between startups and established companies.
   • Day 2: Delved into compensation and career navigation. Topics included understanding total compensation packages (base salary, bonuses, equity), negotiation strategies, crafting effective elevator pitches, and essential tips for navigating the initial stages of an internship or new job (building relationships, asking questions).

3. Workshop 3: Ideation to Shipping, Interview Best Practices, PM/Designers/Data Scientists, Offer Negotiation (July 2022)

   • Day 1: Explored the product development lifecycle and negotiation skills. Topics included product ideation (vision, problem definition, success metrics, research, documentation), implementation, success measurement (user feedback, engagement metrics), and offer negotiation tactics (salary research, understanding offer deadlines).
   • Day 2: Provided insights into related tech roles. Sessions covered the roles of Product Managers (PMs), Designers, and Data Scientists, highlighting their responsibilities, required skillsets, and day-to-day activities.

4. Workshop 4: Global Law, More Interview Tips and Networking (September 2022)

   • Day 1: Focused on legal and ethical considerations in technology. Topics included tech privacy, data anonymization, data minimization, user data control, data export, legal compliance (DSAR, CCPA, GDPR), and product evaluation from a legal perspective (safety, legal requirements).

5. Workshop 5: Graduation + Farewell Remarks! (November 2022)

   • This workshop marked the culmination of the program, with graduation and farewell remarks, celebrating the fellows’ achievements and program completion.

Homework Assignments: Reinforcing Technical Skills

In addition to the workshops, the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program incorporated homework assignments designed to reinforce technical skills and prepare fellows for technical interviews. These assignments focused on core computer science concepts and data structures, requiring fellows to implement solutions in their preferred programming language and apply these concepts to solve LeetCode-style problems. Key areas covered in the homework assignments included:

1. Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Stacks & Queues, and Recursion
2. Graphs and Trees
3. Sorting and Searching
4. Recursion and Dynamic Programming

Mastery of these fundamental concepts and data structures was crucial for success in technical interviews and for building a solid foundation for a career in software engineering.

Mentorship: Personalized Guidance and Support

A defining feature of the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was the personalized mentorship component. Each fellow was paired with an Uber Engineer who served as a mentor throughout the program. Mentorship sessions provided a valuable opportunity for fellows to receive individualized guidance, discuss homework assignments, gain feedback on mock interviews, and explore career interests. Mentors also served as valuable connections within Uber, facilitating networking opportunities and providing insights into the company culture and various engineering roles.

Conversion Internship Interview: Putting Skills to the Test

For fellows who met the program requirements, the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program culminated in a conversion internship interview, offering a pathway to a paid summer internship at Uber. This interview process typically consisted of two one-hour interviews, each structured similarly:

• 5 minutes Introduction: Brief introductions from both the interviewer and interviewee.
• 5 minutes Behavioral Questions: Questions designed to assess soft skills, teamwork, and past experiences. A common example is “Tell me about a time you had to work closely with someone whose personality was different from your own…”
• 45 minutes Coding: The core of the technical interview, involving algorithmic and coding questions. These questions were designed to be solvable within the allotted time and could be presented in a shared editor or on a whiteboard. Interviewers assessed coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication throughout this section. Question types included data structure problems (Trees, Heaps, LinkedList, HashMaps) and architecture/system design questions (e.g., “How would you build a URL shortener service?”).
• 5 minutes Q&A: An opportunity for the interviewee to ask questions about Uber, internships, engineering, or general career advice.

The conversion interviews were a critical step in translating the skills and knowledge gained during the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program into a tangible internship opportunity.

Offers and Compensation: Transparency and Value

Uber provided transparency regarding internship compensation for fellows who successfully converted to internships. For the 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program, the compensation structure was as follows:

• Compensation: $52/hour (Juniors), $47/hr (Sophomores)
• Housing Stipend: $1,700/month
• Travel: Uber covered flight costs to and from the internship location (US/Canada/Mexico).
• Start Dates: Flexible, with efforts to align with interns’ preferred timelines.
• Benefits/Perks: Included Uber credits, health insurance (if needed), and a monthly cell phone stipend.

This comprehensive compensation package demonstrated Uber’s investment in its interns and its commitment to providing a rewarding and supportive internship experience.

The 2022 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program served as a powerful catalyst for aspiring technologists from underrepresented backgrounds. By combining targeted workshops, hands-on learning, personalized mentorship, and a clear pathway to internship opportunities, the program effectively equipped fellows with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to launch successful careers in the tech industry.