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What is a structural engineering internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Janet Kolodner Ph.D.,
Robert Taylor
introduction image

Structural engineering internship provides students with the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge on the job. A structural engineering intern is required to assist with a variety of duties such as inspecting equipment, performing repairs, and mapping out structural layouts and details. As a result, you can intern anywhere, provided it relates to structural engineering. Also, you are to identify possible cost reduction techniques and inform the structural engineer. You will also be required to regularly follow engineers during site visits and assist in calculating the cost for materials and construction.

Getting a structural engineering internship requires you to have or be working towards a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field. You must be able to pay attention to detail and possess very good problem-solving and organizational skills. With these requirements met, you will make $56,665 on average a year or $29 an hour.

What general advice would you give to a structural engineering internship?

Janet Kolodner Ph.D.Janet Kolodner Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of the Practice and Co-Director of the program, Boston College

I know people need to eat and have a roof over their heads. The important thing, however, is to not settle for the wrong thing too soon. People should think about what they enjoy and what gives them a feeling of purpose, think about what they might want to accomplish over a lifetime (or in the next 5 or 10 years), and make sure they choose to do something that will put them on that path. Or, if they don't know what they want to accomplish, they should think hard about the joy they might get (or not) from a position and the extent to which it uses their strengths well. They shouldn't be afraid to try out something they haven't thought about if they are thinking it could offer possibilities of enjoyment and accomplishment. We can't all do exactly what we think we will be doing, but we often can make the most of what's available.
ScoreStructural Engineering InternshipUS Average
Salary
3.7

Avg. Salary $47,072

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 17.22%

Black or African American 3.48%

Hispanic or Latino 10.26%

Unknown 4.55%

White 64.19%

Gender

female 25.73%

male 74.27%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Structural engineering internship career paths

Key steps to become a structural engineering internship

  1. Explore structural engineering internship education requirements

    Most common structural engineering internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.6 %

    Master's

    18.6 %

    Associate

    3.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific structural engineering internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Structural Analysis13.69%
    Revit9.71%
    PowerPoint6.19%
    Structural Design4.30%
    Engineering Software3.91%
  3. Complete relevant structural engineering internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New structural engineering interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a structural engineering internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real structural engineering internship resumes.
  4. Research structural engineering internship duties and responsibilities

    • Authore substantiation documents in compliance with FAA regulations and customer requirements to achieve type certifications and supplemental type certifications.
    • Perform detailed design calculations, including load calculations in accordance with IBC, UBC, ACI 318 and ASCE 7.
    • Perform drafting and design work using Autodesk programs.
    • Design double-row piles to reinforce the structural system using SAP2000.
  5. Prepare your structural engineering internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your structural engineering internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a structural engineering internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable structural engineering internship resume templates

    Build a professional structural engineering internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your structural engineering internship resume.
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
    Structural Engineering Internship Resume
  6. Apply for structural engineering internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a structural engineering internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first structural engineering internship job

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Average structural engineering internship salary

The average structural engineering internship salary in the United States is $47,072 per year or $23 per hour. Structural engineering internship salaries range between $32,000 and $67,000 per year.

Average structural engineering internship salary
$47,072 Yearly
$22.63 hourly

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Structural engineering internship reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Learn much about different systems. Project management and worthy salary.

Cons

Stop and hold in regular degree of salary and responsibilities. I am so eager to learn much and so effective


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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