"In today's world, you need experience to get experience."

That's the modus operandi of CodeLab, a student organization at the University of California, Davis, according to club president and third-year computer science major Mohnish Gopi.

Described as a software and design agency, CodeLab offers real-world experience in the tech arena by working on large-scale projects for industry clients and demonstrating student skills in applicable settings.

Industry Impact

CodeLab is currently collaborating with more than eight companies, including GoodNotes, Chevron, Circle, Render and Distyl. They have designed intuitive user experiences, engineered scalable systems and managed projects end-to-end.

This give-and-take with companies — they get things built, students get to work on real solutions — creates a sustainable model where companies receive high-quality products and students gain the experience they need to launch their careers.

Proven Success

Since beginning in 2020, CodeLab members have landed internships at companies like Meta, Apple, Google, Netflix and Microsoft. These opportunities often lead to full-time roles.

"It's amazing seeing just how much students are capable of when given the right opportunities," said Mohnish. "We're doing things you wouldn't imagine students doing by securing clients like these and working on projects that have industry impact. Pulling clients of this size as a student-run organization is crazy, but it proves what we've always believed: experience creates opportunity."

The goal is for students to not just graduate with theoretical knowledge but also a portfolio of real-world work and industry connections that can help them stand out in the job market and break into top tech roles.

Community and Mentorship

Beyond professional growth, the club also emphasizes community and mentorship. CodeLab retains a robust alumni network, which includes more than 300 past members who return as clients, hiring managers and mentors.

"The late-night debugging sessions, team retreats and shared drive to push boundaries make this feel like more than just a club," Mohnish said. "It's more like a launchpad for students who want to break into the industry together."

Expanding Access

This year, CodeLab has worked on making its internal resources accessible to the wider student community. They created a toolkit of public resources, which prepares newcomers for CodeLab membership by guiding them through the process of building a full-stack project (i.e., developing an application from start to finish), either as a developer, designer or project manager.

Additionally, the club's open-source community has grown to over 130 members, enabling more students to collaborate on large-scale projects.

"We're redefining what's possible for students," Mohnish said. "With the right opportunities, students don't have to wait until after graduation to make a lasting impact."

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This article was originally published by the UC Davis College of Engineering. Written by Jessica Heath.

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