As an engineering student, you know how to work hard and find solutions. But engineering internships are a different animal—you’re not only looking for a great company or team, but also the right opportunity for yourself. The good news? You’ve already taken the steps necessary to succeed in this competitive job market: you’ve been studying hard, working on your resume and networking with professors and advisors. Now it’s time to take these same skills into the workplace by applying for engineering internships at companies that interest you (and maybe even some that don’t). Here are some tips for getting started:
Make a list of companies you want to work for and research them
The first thing that you should do is make a list of companies you would like to work for. Once you have your list, it’s time to research each company and find out what type of interns they have, what they do and who they are.
To begin your research, look at the company’s website and/or social media accounts. You want to see if there are any job postings for interns or opportunities in general. After all, if no one is posting engineering internships on their site then there may not be any available at this time.
Work on your resume
When you’re job-hunting, it’s important to make sure your resume is well-written and easy to read. You should include a cover letter that explains why you’re interested in the company and the position, as well as any relevant skills or experience (such as programming languages). Make sure you include a list of references; this could be people who can speak on your behalf about how great an employee or student you are, including professors from classes taken at college.
Finally, be sure to include any information that will help convince potential employers that they should hire you: awards or accomplishments related to your field of study or employment history; projects completely completed by yourself; anything else relevant!
Network with your professors and advisors
With all of the extracurricular activities going on, it’s easy to forget about the people who have been there for you throughout college. Your professors are an excellent source of information about engineering internships and job opportunities, so don’t be afraid to ask them for advice. Not only will they be happy to assist you, but their connections could also help open doors that you wouldn’t know existed otherwise!
Ask your teachers and advisors for letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are essential for getting great engineering internships later in life, so don’t forget about this step when applying to jobs or applying for scholarships/grants through your school’s financial aid office!
Review each job posting carefully
One of the most common mistakes that people make is not reading a job description carefully before applying for engineering internships. You should never apply to a position unless you are qualified for it, and you can’t know whether or not you’re qualified until you read the job description intently and carefully.
For example: if a company posting says they want someone whose major is mechanical engineering but who has taken on programming courses, then that could be an indication that they need someone with experience in both fields.
Improve your social media accounts
Your social media accounts are a representation of who you are, both as an individual and as a professional. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn (or all four), your social media presence should be an accurate reflection of who you are.
You should strive to use photos that show off the real personality behind your online persona—not just professional pictures where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera. Make sure that anything posted on these sites represents something that interests you personally outside of work, too. It’s also important to make sure your profiles are up-to-date with current information so potential employers can see what kind of person they would be getting if they hired you for their company/internship program.
