Hamza Mostafa, a 21-year-old software engineering student, secured a coveted internship at OpenAI in San Francisco. His experience offers valuable insights for aspiring tech professionals.
TL;DR
- Hamza Mostafa landed a three-month internship at OpenAI in San Francisco, highlighting the importance of networking and persistence.
- The internship offered hands-on experience with AI agents and a startup-like environment, despite OpenAI's size.
- Mostafa's journey underscores the value of being in Silicon Valley for those pursuing careers in frontier AI.
What happened
Hamza Mostafa, a software engineering student from Canada, moved to San Francisco with the goal of breaking into the tech industry. His persistence paid off when he secured a three-month internship at OpenAI in late 2024.
Mostafa's journey began with internships at early-stage startups in Canada, where he developed a preference for the startup atmosphere. He then moved to San Francisco, attending tech events and networking with engineers from various companies.
After learning about OpenAI's internship program through his network, Mostafa applied early and successfully navigated the competitive interview process. He joined OpenAI's Mission Bay office from May to August 2025.
Why it matters
Mostafa's experience highlights the importance of networking and being physically present in tech hubs like Silicon Valley. His story offers valuable insights for students and professionals aiming to break into the competitive tech industry.
The internship provided Mostafa with hands-on experience using AI agents for tasks like coding, significantly enhancing his productivity. He also appreciated the startup-like environment at OpenAI, despite its size.
Mostafa's journey underscores the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in frontier AI. His decision to stay in San Francisco, despite its high cost of living, reflects the city's unique opportunities for tech professionals.
Key facts
- Hamza Mostafa is a 21-year-old software engineering student from Canada.
- He secured a three-month internship at OpenAI in San Francisco, starting in May 2025.
- Mostafa's interview process at OpenAI included two technical rounds focused on speed and coding tasks.
- He worked from OpenAI's Mission Bay office and was tasked with merging or shipping code on his first day.
- Mostafa has signed a return offer with OpenAI for Fall 2026 but is currently focusing on his own agentic AI projects due to visa issues.
- He moved to San Francisco full-time in October 2025, citing the city's density of talented people and opportunities.
- Mostafa recommends attending tech events in San Francisco to find jobs and meet people in the industry.
Context
OpenAI is a leading AI research laboratory and the company behind popular models like GPT-4. The organization is known for its innovative work in the field of artificial intelligence and its competitive hiring process.
San Francisco, often referred to as Silicon Valley, is a global hub for technology and innovation. The city is home to numerous tech companies, startups, and talented professionals, making it an attractive destination for those pursuing careers in tech.
Internships at top tech companies like OpenAI are highly competitive and offer valuable experience for students and professionals. These opportunities can provide insights into the latest AI technologies and the chance to work with leading experts in the field.
