What does a student engineer do?

A student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Student engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real student engineer resumes:
- Compose GIS maps using ArcView, manage large data sets, and help in train other personnel learn program
- Lead a team of undergraduate students to continue the work done on SEI NASA project (see below).
- Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
- Complete computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations and execute data analysis using JMP.
- Aid software engineers in programming and debugging internal SQL database.
- Perform systems programming in C/C++, Java, MATLAB and Linux.
- Design and implement a new co-op webpage using PHP, HTML, JavaScript, MySQL and CSS.
- Used SQL and ORM concepts to access databases.
- Generate SolidWorks/PTC Creo models, assemblies, and fabrication drawings.
- Work with ProE on Creo designing sheet metal parts and creating drawings.
- Used LabView to program kit robots to perform a variety of functions.
- Develop a Php and Linux base web application to view decommission war ships.
- Apply programming knowledge to troubleshoot and develop LabVIEW, MATLAB, and VBA programs.
- Utilize AutoCAD to translate sketches & engineer calculations into working drawings for installation projects.
- Perform noise dosimetry/noise surveys, and water and ventilation sampling for the safety of the staff.
Student engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Student Engineers are proficient in GPA, C++, and CAD. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Creativity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Student Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GPA, 12%
Major - Software Engineering Passed with Distinction (GPA: 3.78) Dissertation Subject: Accumulative Software Development.
- C++, 8%
Developed a C++ CLI application to control remote server environment availability.
- CAD, 8%
Translated engineering specifications into CAD manufacturing drawings and instructions.
- Co-Op, 6%
Participated in the rotational co-op program.
- Java, 5%
Developed RF Safety Calculator using JAVA that indicates the safe and unsafe zones around the base stations using FCC guidelines.
- Python, 4%
Utilized Ruby, Python, Assembly, FORTRAN, Pascal, Swift, Coordinated work communications.
Common skills that a student engineer uses to do their job include "gpa," "c++," and "cad." You can find details on the most important student engineer responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a student engineer to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what student engineers do because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Additionally, a student engineer resume shows how student engineers use mechanical skills: "worked with contractors on various mechanical engineering projects and participated in several cad projects. "
Creativity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling student engineer duties is creativity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." According to a student engineer resume, here's how student engineers can utilize creativity in their job responsibilities: "designed products using computer programs such as: mastercam, autocad, autodesk inventor, solidworks etc. "
Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of student engineers is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday student engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated and documented technical reports and presentations for design reviews and records. "
Math skills. A big part of what student engineers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to student engineer responsibilities because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical student engineer tasks: "completed advanced math and engineering design courses. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a student engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what student engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to student engineer duties can be seen in an example from a student engineer resume snippet: "tested and resolved problems with the generation 2, sts-1 mux board by means of physical data collection and c programming. "
The three companies that hire the most student engineers are:
- John Deere40 student engineers jobs
- Magna International16 student engineers jobs
- 3M Company3 student engineers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable student engineer resume templates
Build a professional student engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your student engineer resume.Compare different student engineers
Student engineer vs. Engineering internship
An engineering intern is responsible for assisting the overall project development under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering interns' duties vary in every industry but generally include generating reports, analyzing budget goals and cost estimates, reaching out to clients for important updates, and providing project improvement recommendations. Engineering interns must have strong attention to detail, as well as excellent critical-thinking and project management skills. An engineering intern should be able to communicate effectively and use their logical judgments, especially when dealing with adjustments and meeting deadlines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, student engineer responsibilities require skills like "gpa," "cad," "co-op," and "engineering student." Meanwhile a typical engineering internship has skills in areas such as "engineering intern," "work ethic," "strong problem-solving," and "strong analytical." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Engineering interns really shine in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $45,479. Comparatively, student engineers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $86,592.The education levels that engineering interns earn slightly differ from student engineers. In particular, engineering interns are 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a student engineer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student engineer vs. Mechanical engineering internship
One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that student engineer responsibilities requires skills like "gpa," "c++," "c #," and "cad." But a mechanical engineering internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "mechanical design," "mechanical systems," "revit," and "auto cad."
Mechanical engineering interns earn a lower average salary than student engineers. But mechanical engineering interns earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $44,983. Additionally, student engineers earn the highest salaries in the transportation with average pay of $86,592 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mechanical engineering interns tend to reach similar levels of education than student engineers. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from student engineer resumes include skills like "gpa," "cad," "co-op," and "java," whereas an engineering trainee is more likely to list skills in "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "boilers. "
Engineering trainees earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $63,253. Comparatively, student engineers have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $86,592.When it comes to education, engineering trainees tend to earn higher degree levels compared to student engineers. In fact, they're 8.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Student engineer vs. Design engineer internship
When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between student engineers and design engineer interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a student engineer might have more use for skills like "gpa," "c #," "cad," and "co-op." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of design engineer interns require skills like "level analysis," "verilog," "design reviews," and "perl. "
Design engineer interns enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,117. For comparison, student engineers earn the highest salary in the transportation industry.In general, design engineer interns hold similar degree levels compared to student engineers. Design engineer interns are 4.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of student engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











