Internships and co-ops are a great way to enhance your engineering knowledge and skills. They are sort of like a job trial period. Internships are typically 10-12 weeks during the summer and co-ops consist of a summer combined with a fall or spring semester. The jobs help you find out where you fit into engineering! There are so many different fields and industries you can work in and this is a great time to try out a few.
The best way to get an internship or co-op position is to go to recruiting events on campus such as career fairs and company info sessions. I highly recommend attending these events as a freshman. It is a great way to learn about companies and practice interacting with recruiters. And who knows, you might even walk away with an offer!
Through my internships I have learned a lot about myself as a leader and I have learned a TON of valuable skills. This time isn’t just about what type of job you want, but it’s also about the atmosphere. Some people like big corporations, others like small businesses. Some people like working alone, some people like working in groups. This time is all about discovering YOU!
Don’t be nervous! Going into an internship or co-op they aren’t expecting you to know everything about engineering. The important thing is that you are open minded and willing to learn. They are fun too! Many companies have programs and activities for the interns. At my internship last summer we went on a camping trip and made and served a meal at a homeless shelter! Internships and co-ops are all what you make them. It is a time to learn, have fun, and discover who you are in the professional world.
By: Kayli Rentzel (Mentor Team M)
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