How to get an engineering internship

To get an engineering internship, follow these steps:

Determine what field of engineering you want your internship to be.

There are so many different fields of engineering that you must focus on one or two (that may be closely related) as a first step. Consider your interests, passions, and what type of engineering you are studying or have studied.

Ask yourself what type of environment you like working in, and what types of problems you like to solve.

Here is a list of just some of the many fields of engineering:

• Software engineering

• Marine engineering

• Civil engineering

• Biomedical engineering

• Nuclear engineering

• Audio engineering

• Aerospace engineering

• Environmental engineering

• Mechanical engineering

Attempt to get an engineering degree

As mentioned above, you should have studied or be studying a specific type of engineering. If not, you should pursue an engineering degree. Most employers favor engineering interns with degrees or ones that are currently earning degrees.

It is possible to obtain an engineering internship without a college degree, but this would require you have a very impressive portfolio of engineering projects.

Attend engineering networking events

Many colleges host networking and job fairs where companies can promote their internship programs. You should attend these events in the fall months of September and October if you are seeking an internship for the following summer.

If you have already graduated, you can still use your alma mater as a valuable resource in helping you find an engineering internship.

Research companies with engineering internships you are interested in

You should do a fair amount of research on companies you are interested in when trying to get an engineering internship. You can do much of this online. Find out if they have internship programs, how many, what the differences between them are, the application deadlines, and any other critical information.

In addition, you can call a company's Human Resources (HR) department to inquire about its internship opportunities.

After creating a list of engineering internships you want to apply for, tailor your resume to the internship(s) you want. Highlight relevant coursework, engineering projects you were a part of, and any leadership positions you've held.

You can also include your GPA (if it is above average) and awards and achievements you've earned during your college career.

It is a good idea to highlight your skill set as well. Here are some common skills engineering managers like their candidates to have:

• Communication skills

• Leadership skills and qualities

• Computer skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Multi-tasking abilities

Lastly, be sure to include any certifications you've earned or engineering organizations you are a part of, as this will help you to stand apart in a competitive field.

Write a cover letter for your engineering internship

A cover letter can be very helpful for obtaining an internship. While your resume is a great breakdown of your academic career, skills, and accomplishments, your cover letter can be a more personal document. Here you can convey your enthusiasm for engineering and why you are passionate about it.

It is a good idea to do a fair amount of research on the company you are writing the cover letter for as well. This way you come across as informed, well prepared, and dedicated from the start.

Have a professor proofread your cover letter if possible, or use a good friend who isn't afraid to offer constructive criticism.

Do proper preparation for the interview

At this step, you should do some research about the company where you are interviewing. Try to find out common questions asked in their internship interviews and search for sample answers to common engineering interview questions. Practice the interview with a friend or colleague.

It's great to have a general idea of how to answer certain questions. However, you should not memorize your answers to particular questions. This can make you seem robotic and inauthentic during the actual interview.