Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision and how you handled it

Situation: In a group project, our team lead decided to use NoSQL for an e-commerce app without discussing alternatives. Task: I believed a relational database would be more suitable. Action: I scheduled a one-on-one, presented a comparison document, and suggested prototyping both approaches. Result: After the prototype, the team agreed relational was better. The lead appreciated my data-driven approach.

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Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern

Q: Two Sum - Given an array of integers and a target, return indices of the two numbers that add up to target

Practice question for Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern interview focusing on Arrays & Hashing.

Q: LRU Cache - Design a data structure for Least Recently Used cache

Practice question for Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern interview focusing on Design.

Q: Binary Tree Vertical Order Traversal - Return vertical order traversal of nodes

Practice question for Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern interview focusing on Trees.

Q: How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

Situation: During finals week, I had three major coding assignments due within 48 hours plus two exams. Task: Manage my time effectively to complete everything without compromising quality. Action: I listed all tasks, prioritized by due date and complexity, created a schedule with time blocks, and used the Pomodoro Technique. Result: I completed all assignments on time and performed well on exams.

Remote·105 interview reviews·Medium difficulty

74% positive58% applied onlinePosted 0d [Apply here](https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Research-and-Development-Engineering-Intern_REQ_0000076214-1?utm_source=Simplify&ref=Simplify)

Difficulty

2.6/ 5

Experience

Positive74%

Neutral16%

Negative10%

Interview Source

Applied online58%

Recruiter27%

Referral11%

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University Research and Development Engineering Intern Interview Reviews

105

University Research and Development Engineering Intern Candidate

Mar 15, 2026 · Austin, TX

✓ OfferNeutralEasy

Applied online and heard back in about a week. The technical interview was 45 minutes with two coding problems. Focus on time complexity and edge cases. The behavioral portion was brief but important.

Interview QuestionEasy

“Two Sum - Given an array of integers and a target, return indices of the two numbers that add up to target”

Arrays & HashingPractice this →

University Research and Development Engineering Intern Candidate

Nov 19, 2026 · Remote

✓ OfferNegativeAverage

Straightforward — just 2 medium leetcode-tagged problems in 45 minutes. Very fast paced though so be aware of time. A few follow-up questions for the interviewer at the end. No behavioral questions.

Interview QuestionMedium

“LRU Cache - Design a data structure for Least Recently Used cache”

DesignPractice this →

University Research and Development Engineering Intern Candidate

Jan 16, 2026 · Remote

✓ OfferPositiveDifficult

Interview QuestionMedium

“How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?”

Time ManagementBehavioralPractice this →

University Research and Development Engineering Intern Candidate

Jan 21, 2026 · Austin, TX

✗ No offerNeutralAverage

The process was pretty straightforward. It started with an online assessment, followed by a phone screen, and concluded with a final interview round that had two LeetCode medium difficulty problems.

Interview QuestionMedium

“Binary Tree Vertical Order Traversal - Return vertical order traversal of nodes”

TreesPractice this →

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About This Role

Focus Areas

Software DevelopmentSystem DesignBehavioral

Key Skills

Software EngineeringProblem SolvingTeamworkCommunication

Details

CompanyPennstate

LocationRemote

Posted0d [Apply here](https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Research-and-Development-Engineering-Intern_REQ_0000076214-1?utm_source=Simplify&ref=Simplify)

TierEnterprise

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get hired as a University Research and Development Engineering Intern at Pennstate?

The interview difficulty is rated 2.6/5 by candidates. 74% report a positive experience. Focus on Software Development, System Design, Behavioral to improve your chances.

How long does the Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern hiring process take?

The process typically takes 2–6 weeks from application to final decision, depending on the hiring cycle and team availability.

What is the interview process like?

Most candidates go through a recruiter screen, followed by technical coding rounds, and a final interview loop. 58% of candidates applied online.

What questions are asked in a Pennstate University Research and Development Engineering Intern interview?

Common topics include data structures & algorithms (arrays, trees, graphs), system design, and behavioral questions using the STAR method. Practice with our AI mock interviewer to prepare.

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