GitHub Launches Octernships to Connect Students With Paid Tech Work
GitHub has introduced a new program, GitHub Octernships, designed to give students paid, real-world software development experience while they complete their studies. The fully remote initiative pairs student developers with companies across the globe for project-based work, mentorship, and potential long-term employment opportunities.
What Students Get From the Program
Octernships are structured as paid project engagements, so students earn a competitive stipend while continuing their education. Participants work on a range of deliverables that span open source contributions, documentation, design, and testing, allowing them to build a diverse portfolio of development skills.
Beyond the technical work, the program features mentorship from industry experts and collaboration with other developers. Students also gain access to a curated list of registered partner organizations, opening up networking opportunities with potential employers that might not otherwise be accessible.
The pilot phase of the program has already shown promising results. According to GitHub, many partner organizations extended job offers to Octerns after their placements concluded. Eldad Fux, CEO of Appwrite, cited the program's focus on practical projects as a key differentiator:
"We have had a great experience working with the GitHub Octernships pilot program. The intern we selected from the previous year became an Appwrite employee and has consistently exceeded our expectations. The program's emphasis on real-world projects and evaluation of interns based on their efforts and quality of work allows us to confidently choose the best fit for our team. Overall, we highly recommend this program to other tech companies looking to find top talent with interns."
Eligibility and Application Process
Octernships will initially be available to students in 10 countries: India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Nigeria, and Colombia. GitHub plans to expand the program to more regions over time.
To qualify, applicants must be verified on Global Campus and maintain an active contribution history on GitHub. Available projects will be posted on the Octernships page throughout the year, so interested students should check regularly for new opportunities.
Partnering With Octernships
For companies, the program offers a pipeline to qualified international student talent. Partners get access to a diverse candidate pool and can evaluate students based on effort and professional conduct through hands-on project work, rather than relying solely on interviews.
The financial structure—stipends funded by partners, with mentorship support from GitHub—allows students to focus on contributing to assigned projects while developing their skills. Organizations interested in participating can sign up as an Octernships partner to connect with the next generation of developers.
