How do I write a CV for an engineering internship?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

You write a CV for an engineering internship by showcasing your academic achievements, research and publications, as well as any hands-on engineering experience. Unlike a resume which is a one- to two-page document presenting key facts about your professional experience, educational background, and skills, a curriculum vitae (CV) is a longer document that details the whole course of your career and is used more for academic positions.

To get started, you should create a profile summary to include at the top of your resume just after contact information.

What to include in an engineer CV profile summary:

Your discipline and sub-disciplines - Electrical, mechanical, civil, etc.
Types of projects you work on - Property development, car manufacturing, road building
Qualifications - Engineering degrees, industry standards
Software knowledge - AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, Excel
Engineering skills - Technical drawing, project management, risk assessment

Another important element in a CV is your academic background. Include your GPA (if it's high) and some core skills and accomplishments. List all educational experiences related to undergraduate and graduate studies.

Example subheadings for CV education section include:

Academic awards (Dean's List, Latin honors, etc.)
GPA (if you're a recent graduate and your GPA was 3.5+)
Extra certifications
Academic projects (thesis, dissertation, etc.)

Career history is a central part of a CV, but if you're just starting out, you can include any internships or relevant volunteer experience that relates to your job objectives.

For example, "Performed data analysis for university lab project on demographics." You can also include a section for publications if you've contributed to a significant academic or professional journal or other published work.

Be sure to also include a list of your hard and soft skills as an engineer intern. For example, having software knowledge - AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, Excel is very desirable. So are engineering skills such as technical drawing, project management, risk assessment. Also, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.