15 Questions with Julia: Interning at Palo Alto Networks

Julia

Intern
Early Talents Program

Early Talent | Career Advice | Culture

Thursday, August 20, 2026

15 Questions with Julia: Interning at Palo Alto Networks

Julia is a rising junior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Business Administration who spent this past summer serving as the Early Talent Programs intern at Palo Alto Networks. In this role, she was 'interning for the intern program,' helping execute the social events that defined the summer experience for her peers. As she wraps up her internship, she shares key insights and advice to help incoming interns and future applicants hit the ground running.

Q1: Describe your internship experience in 3 words.

Fast-paced. Innovative. Motivating.

Q2: What was the biggest surprise on your first day?

The immediate level of trust, responsibility, and the accessibility to resources across the organization.

Q3: Cybersecurity sounds intense. What is the company culture like?

Action-oriented and supportive. As part of the People Team, I experienced a collaborative environment where every voice mattered and no idea was a bad contribution.

Q4: What is your daily ritual before starting the workday?

History podcasts or karaoke while on the commute, followed by an iced vanilla latte run to Deja Brew with my intern best friend!

Q5: Did you get to work on real projects, or was it “intern work”?

100% real stuff. Any intern would tell you there is a great amount of responsibility handed to you beginning day one. I worked on projects that addressed real pain points for my team, and seeing them come to life meant I was able to shape my team’s experience.

Q6: How do you integrate AI into your daily routine to solve problems and boost productivity?

AI has been an essential part of my daily work throughout my internship, serving as an invaluable tool for everything from building applications from raw data to helping organize off-site events.

Q7: What is the best piece of advice your manager or mentor gave you?

Treat your internship as an extended interview. Consistently demonstrate your value, contribute to the team culture, and prove you are the right fit to bring Palo Alto Networks' mission to life.

Q8: How do you handle the fast pace of cybersecurity?

Strategic prioritization and leveraging the immense support network provided to all interns.

Q9: How would you describe your fellow interns in one sentence?

A class of incredibly intelligent, motivated, and future-focused students.

Q10: What’s the hybrid/office experience like for interns?

Optimized for performance. In-office three days a week maximizes collaboration and networking, while remote days allow you to prioritize deep, focused work. And who doesn’t love an official PANW Zoom background?

Q11: What skill did you level up the most during the summer?

AI mastery. By capitalizing on PANW’s AI-integrated tools, such as Google Suite, my AI efficiency has grown exponentially. Now that the door has been opened, I’m brainstorming endless opportunities to use AI tools in my studies or everyday life.

Q12: How did the internship change your perspective about a career in tech/cybersecurity?

It was a total pivot. I realized non-technical roles are critical to the cybersecurity ecosystem. You don't need to be an engineer to contribute to the movement at a top-tier tech company.

Q13: What is one piece of advice for the interview process?

Speak fluent AI. Palo Alto Networks places a firm emphasis on utilizing AI tools; prove you’re ready to innovate and ride the wave of the future.

Q14: If you could go back to Day 1 and tell yourself one message, what would it be?

Buckle up and enjoy the ride. It’s demanding, but there is an incredible support network behind you. Lean into learning, remain open-minded, and leave the stress at the door. You got this!

Q15: Did you feel like “just an intern”, or were you fully integrated into the team?

I was in the room where it happens. I sat in on every meeting and was invited to team off-site events. From teammate birthday lunches to All-Hands with the CPO, I was treated as a valued teammate and friend, never a guest.