I lost my internship, flew to NYC anyway, and networked into a new job

Three weeks before my scheduled start date, the startup where I'd landed a summer software engineering internship sent an email that changed everything: they were dissolving due to funding issues.

With housing already arranged in New York City and flights booked, I faced a dilemma. I could return home and spend the summer working at a local restaurant, or take a risk and use my NYC housing to network aggressively for a last-minute opportunity.

I chose to fly to New York anyway, armed with nothing but determination and a list of tech companies I'd researched. My strategy was simple: attend every tech meetup, coffee chat, and networking event I could find.

The first week was brutal. I attended six networking events, sent dozens of cold emails, and endured multiple rejections. Several companies told me they'd filled their intern positions months earlier.

My breakthrough came at a React.js meetup in Brooklyn. I struck up a conversation with a senior engineer from a fintech startup who mentioned they'd just lost an intern to another opportunity.

Instead of immediately asking for the position, I spent time learning about their technical challenges. When they mentioned struggling with mobile optimization, I offered to show them a side project I'd built addressing similar issues.

The impromptu demo led to an invitation to visit their office the next day. What started as an informal chat turned into technical interviews with three team members.

Two days later, they offered me the internship with a start date the following Monday. The role paid better than my original position and provided experience with cutting-edge financial technology.

The experience taught me that networking isn't just about asking for opportunities – it's about demonstrating value and building genuine connections. Showing interest in their problems rather than just my needs made the difference.

By summer's end, the startup offered me a full-time position after graduation. What initially seemed like a devastating setback became the launching pad for my career.

For students facing similar situations, remember that setbacks often create unexpected opportunities. Sometimes the best path forward requires taking calculated risks and being willing to put yourself out there.