Silicon Valley’s summer internship scene just got a major reality check, and it’s not your grandma’s tech networking event.

Z Fellows, the ultra-selective bootcamp, curated an exclusive gathering of tech’s brightest Gen Z talents at Internapalooza 2025, signaling a seismic shift from the carefree startup vibes of yesteryear. Gone are the days of endless free swag and bottomless mimosas – welcome to the AI-powered, grind-until-you-shine era.

The New Tech Manifesto

Speakers like Adam Guild dropped some hardcore truth bombs, declaring “burnout is a myth” and challenging interns to embrace a relentless work ethic. Startup executives served up raw, unfiltered career advice that would make traditional career counselors clutch their pearls.

The Intern Experience

Interns like Aayan Agarwal, earning a cool $8,500 monthly at Meta, are living the dream – working in the same building as Mark Zuckerberg and witnessing the AI revolution firsthand. Meanwhile, companies are getting ruthlessly selective, offering unprecedented compensation packages to only the most exceptional talent.

Tech’s Wild West

The event’s most bonkers moment? Final Round AI’s booth, where interns could get “interviewed” by AI versions of tech titans like Elon Musk. Because nothing says “future of work” like being grilled by a digital Musk bot.

As one event organizer put it: these interns are “so sweet and so innocent” – but don’t be fooled. They’re the ones who’ll be coding our dystopian – I mean, innovative – future.