What the iOS Summer Internship in 2018 Involved
An iOS summer internship in 2018 typically focused on contributing to iOS apps under guidance from experienced engineers. Interns worked on feature implementation, bug fixes, and small design tasks while learning Swift, Objective-C, and related tools. They collaborated with product, design, and QA teams, practiced code review, and delivered working prototypes. This role served as a bridge from academic projects to production iOS development, emphasizing clean coding, testing, and iterative improvement within real apps.
Typical Responsibilities and Deliverables
Interns were often assigned scoped features or improvements that aligned with team goals. They participated in planning, implementation, testing, and documentation. Deliverables usually included merged pull requests, updated unit tests, and demo-ready builds. Mentorship and structured feedback were common, helping interns understand how apps evolve in a professional codebase.
Core Development Duties
- Implementing app features in Swift and Interface Builder
- Fixing bugs and improving app stability
- Writing and maintaining unit and UI tests
- Reading and updating existing code to meet team standards
Collaboration and Process
- Participating in standups and design reviews
- Receiving code reviews and incorporating feedback
- Communicating progress to mentors and managers
- Using issue trackers and version control workflows
Key Skills and Technologies
Successful interns arrived with or quickly learned the core iOS toolchain and relevant frameworks. Hands-on practice with Swift, UIKit, and version control was expected, while knowledge of related platforms and testing concepts strengthened contributions.
| Skill or Technology | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Language | Swift (introduced in 2014) and Objective-C | Historical platform documentation |
| Primary UI Framework | UIKit, with storyboards or programmatic layouts | Standard iOS development practice |
| Version Control | Git and GitHub or internal repositories | Common industry workflow |
| IDE | Xcode, typically Xcode 9–10 for 2018 timelines | Historical release records |
| Testing | Unit tests with XCTest, basic UI testing | Apple documentation and internship postings |
Where Interns Worked and Team Structures
iOS internships existed across consumer apps, enterprise tools, and internal platforms. Team structures varied from small feature teams to larger product groups, but all expected reliability and a learning mindset. Interns contributed to measurable milestones while gaining insight into release processes and product ownership.
Hiring Timeline and Application Practices
For summer roles, companies typically opened applications in the fall and early winter preceding the internship year and completed interviews by early spring. Intern offers were often extended from late winter through spring, aligning with academic schedules. Strong preparation, portfolio samples, and timely submission improved outcomes.
Outcomes and Next Steps for Interns
At the end of an iOS summer internship in 2018, many interns received return offers, full-time roles after graduation, or strong mentorship references. Some used the experience to pivot into specialized iOS roles or pursue further education. Documenting projects, contributions, and lessons learned helped in future job searches and portfolio development.
- Document key tasks, technologies, and impact at the end of each project
- Request feedback from mentors to identify growth areas
- Update portfolio and resume with specific features and outcomes
- Continue learning beyond the internship with personal or open-source projects
Conclusion
An iOS summer internship in 2018 provided structured, mentorship-driven experience in real app development. Interns practiced Swift, testing, collaboration, and version control while contributing to meaningful features. By focusing on clean implementation and clear communication, they positioned themselves for further opportunities in iOS engineering and product development.