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How do we land engineering internships if we have no prior experience?
I'm a college student
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Dorina’s Answer
Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or skills that showcase your familiarity with engineering concepts.
Networking: Building connections with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights and potential internship opportunities. Many successful individuals began their careers through networking and can offer guidance on accessing entry-level positions.
Broaden Your Application Scope: Don't limit yourself to large corporations; explore opportunities with smaller firms and startups, which may be more open to hiring interns with minimal experience.
Volunteer Work: Engaging in volunteer projects related to engineering can bolster your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Additionally, volunteering offers practical experience and networking opportunities.
Online Certifications: Pursuing online certifications relevant to your desired engineering field can enhance your skill set and make you a more competitive candidate. Look for reputable platforms offering certifications recognized within the industry.
Explore Online Job Opportunities: Online job boards and platforms often list internships suitable for candidates without prior experience. Be proactive in searching for and applying to these positions.
Utilize University Resources: Take advantage of resources available through your university, such as career services and faculty connections. Professors can offer valuable advice, mentorship, and potentially refer you to internship opportunities within their networks.
By implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of securing an engineering internship and kick-starting your career in the field.
Networking: Building connections with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights and potential internship opportunities. Many successful individuals began their careers through networking and can offer guidance on accessing entry-level positions.
Broaden Your Application Scope: Don't limit yourself to large corporations; explore opportunities with smaller firms and startups, which may be more open to hiring interns with minimal experience.
Volunteer Work: Engaging in volunteer projects related to engineering can bolster your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Additionally, volunteering offers practical experience and networking opportunities.
Online Certifications: Pursuing online certifications relevant to your desired engineering field can enhance your skill set and make you a more competitive candidate. Look for reputable platforms offering certifications recognized within the industry.
Explore Online Job Opportunities: Online job boards and platforms often list internships suitable for candidates without prior experience. Be proactive in searching for and applying to these positions.
Utilize University Resources: Take advantage of resources available through your university, such as career services and faculty connections. Professors can offer valuable advice, mentorship, and potentially refer you to internship opportunities within their networks.
By implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of securing an engineering internship and kick-starting your career in the field.
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Just ask/apply! In person recruiting opportunities such as a career/internship fair tend to be more fruitful than only applying online. Check your area/school for any upcoming job fairs.
Douglas Lemmo, P.E.
Consultant, Owner at Power Generation Consulting Services
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Douglas’s Answer
What's the strategy to secure engineering internships without any previous experience?
The solution is straightforward. Recruiters for internships don't expect candidates to possess extensive experience. They are primarily seeking individuals who are hardworking, timely, and ready to work while being able to adhere to instructions. If you happen to have relevant experience, that's an added advantage. However, demonstrating your professionalism, ability to follow directions, and commitment to the task at hand are key attributes that can significantly enhance your chances.
The solution is straightforward. Recruiters for internships don't expect candidates to possess extensive experience. They are primarily seeking individuals who are hardworking, timely, and ready to work while being able to adhere to instructions. If you happen to have relevant experience, that's an added advantage. However, demonstrating your professionalism, ability to follow directions, and commitment to the task at hand are key attributes that can significantly enhance your chances.
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Kevin, It is good that you are giving this some thought.
1) Before sending out any resume to anybody, talk to your engineering faculty - especially your Advisor or the Dean of the department. Ask them the same question. They may have some industry contacts who are looking for recommendations from the faculty. The first hoop you jump through may be to get a recommendation from one of them.
2) Ask yourself: "What experience do I hope to get from an internship"? What courses have you enjoyed so far. What kind of engineering work do you hope to do in the next few years? How has your course work led you to think about focusing on any particular aspects of engineering. If so, what are the companies or firms that do that? Do you want to stay in your home town, or your college town? Does that limit your possibilities? Do you want to experience living and working in some other part of the country? Do you want to actually earn money, or will you be satisfied just getting the experience?
3) Experience - have you done part-time jobs before now? What did you like? Not like? Very few students have any practical experience in their area of study. The prospective employer is taking a chance on you - that although you do not yet have a degree, you have some engineering skills that will be useful to them. From your perspective, you hope that the prospective employer has a job that will let you utilize or develop some of your new-found skills or give you the oppotunity to gain some skills you never thought of - and aren't typically taught in engineering classes.
4) If your school has on-campus interviews, take advantage of that. Sign up for interviews if the company indicates they are looking for interns as well as graduates. Even if you don't get hired, you will gain some experience during the interviews. And, you will learn what these companies are looking for in the graduates they do hire. That will help you get ready for when you are looking for your first real, full-time engineering job.
Good luck, Kevin!
1) Before sending out any resume to anybody, talk to your engineering faculty - especially your Advisor or the Dean of the department. Ask them the same question. They may have some industry contacts who are looking for recommendations from the faculty. The first hoop you jump through may be to get a recommendation from one of them.
2) Ask yourself: "What experience do I hope to get from an internship"? What courses have you enjoyed so far. What kind of engineering work do you hope to do in the next few years? How has your course work led you to think about focusing on any particular aspects of engineering. If so, what are the companies or firms that do that? Do you want to stay in your home town, or your college town? Does that limit your possibilities? Do you want to experience living and working in some other part of the country? Do you want to actually earn money, or will you be satisfied just getting the experience?
3) Experience - have you done part-time jobs before now? What did you like? Not like? Very few students have any practical experience in their area of study. The prospective employer is taking a chance on you - that although you do not yet have a degree, you have some engineering skills that will be useful to them. From your perspective, you hope that the prospective employer has a job that will let you utilize or develop some of your new-found skills or give you the oppotunity to gain some skills you never thought of - and aren't typically taught in engineering classes.
4) If your school has on-campus interviews, take advantage of that. Sign up for interviews if the company indicates they are looking for interns as well as graduates. Even if you don't get hired, you will gain some experience during the interviews. And, you will learn what these companies are looking for in the graduates they do hire. That will help you get ready for when you are looking for your first real, full-time engineering job.
Good luck, Kevin!
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
Almost every engineering field boasts its own professional or industry organization. Take, for instance, AiChE, which stands for the American Institute for Chemical Engineers. These professional bodies typically establish student chapters at universities. If you haven't yet joined the organization related to your specific discipline, I strongly recommend you to do so.
Local businesses, intrigued by your discipline, often back these student chapters, presenting you with chances to create valuable connections with them. You'll frequently find networking events and site tours being organized. This can potentially open doors to exciting internship opportunities.
Local businesses, intrigued by your discipline, often back these student chapters, presenting you with chances to create valuable connections with them. You'll frequently find networking events and site tours being organized. This can potentially open doors to exciting internship opportunities.