From Silicon Valley to the Emerald City: Pinterest's University Recruiting Events

Over 200 software engineering and machine learning students joined us in our San Francisco and Seattle offices to explore kickstarting their technical career at Pinterest. The evenings were filled with authentic conversations and the kind of meaningful connections that reminded everyone why these locations continue to attract the world's most talented minds. 

Building upon success and momentum from last year’s San Francisco event, we elevated the experience this year and included an opportunity to connect in our Seattle office. Everyone enjoyed bites inspired by our 2025 Pinterest Predicts trends. By the end of each evening, students left feeling inspired and energized by our mission and commitment to building for positivity. 

Read more about the unique attendee experiences in both locations. You’ll also find tips from our University Recruiting team as you prepare your application for our open University positions.

Igniting Pathways at Pinterest’s Headquarters

Over 130 Bay-Area students visited our company headquarters in San Francisco. The event kicked-off with a presentation about the work that we’re doing at Pinterest and what to expect in our hiring process, followed by a panel discussion with university recruiters who focus on Software Engineering and Machine Learning. Each attendee had a chance to win vintage Pinterest swag and build edible bouquet arrangements while networking with volunteers and other attendees.

New this year, tailored breakout sessions allowed students to dive deeper into their fields of interest, engaging directly with alumni, managers and past interns. This opportunity for focused dialogue provided actionable insights and a glimpse into life at Pinterest. One student shared, “Pinterest was already a top company for me, but now the enthusiasm has shot through the roof.”

Exploring the Future at Pinterest Seattle 

Our newly minted office, complete with breathtaking Lake Union views welcomed over 70 technical students for an evening that perfectly captured the Pacific Northwest's innovative spirit. Attendees networked with fellow students and volunteers all while soaking in panoramic water views that reminded everyone why Seattle remains one of tech's most inspiring locations. These weren't just quick networking exchanges, but substantial discussions that allowed students to experience firsthand the collaborative, supportive culture that makes Pinterest such a great place to build a career. 

Students rated our University Recruiting Overview and Engineering Panels as the most valuable experiences, drawn to the authentic storytelling that revealed how interns become integral team members driving real impact on projects millions use daily. Our engineering demos didn't just showcase Pinterest's technical excellence; they invited students into the problem-solving mindset that defines our engineering culture. One attendee shared, “It was super interesting to see the kind of real impact interns can make and the variety of projects they worked on.” 

Your Path to Pinterest: From Interview to Internship

Ready to join Pinterest? Here's what to expect in the technical rounds: interns complete one 60-minute technical interview focused on data structures and algorithms, while university grads complete three total technical interviews. To succeed, practice medium to hard LeetCode problems, ask clarifying questions, communicate your thought process clearly, and test your code. Throughout this entire process, your recruiter is there to guide, support and help you succeed every step of the way.

What happens if you join us? Our 12-week paid internships span all major engineering teams: ML, product engineering, scalable systems and we place across the Bay Area, Seattle, New York, or in some cases, remote. From day one, you're embedded in an engineering team working on a meaningful project designed just for you, with a dedicated mentor plus your manager for support. Beyond the technical work, you'll join a global cohort of fellow Pinterns for coffee chats with execs, team events, professional workshops, and networking opportunities that make your internship both impactful and fun. No matter your interests or experience level, there's a pathway for you at Pinterest!

Applications for all of our University positions are open! Explore engineering opportunities and apply to ones that inspire you. 

If now isn’t the right time, join our University Talent Community to stay updated on Pinterest news, events and opportunities.