How to land an internship: Tips from the Society of Women Engineers
With autumn still in the air, now is actually the perfect time to start your internship search for the summer or beyond.
Securing an internship provides students with an invaluable hands-on experience, offering the chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings or explore different fields they might not have previously considered. While internships enhance resumes, they also provide a chance to explore potential career paths and connect with professionals with a variety of experiences—invaluable benefits for any student.
CU Boulder’s chapter of the recently hosted companies across industries including aerospace, research & development, energy, radio frequency communication and sports equipment for their Industry Networking Night.
The event was an opportunity for students to speak with professionals and learn about engineering and technical roles nationwide. Students also learned about the skills recruiters typically look for among interns.
Looking for tips on landing an internship in any industry? Look no further! SWE’s leadership board members—many of whom have completed internships themselves—provided helpful tips to help you get started!
- Craft a Strong Resume: Highlight your experiences and skills clearly and seek feedback from multiple people. Tailor your resume for different roles and companies that interest you.
- Apply Widely: The internship search is often a numbers game. Apply to as many positions as possible to increase your chances of landing interviews.
- Polish Your LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile has a professional photo and lists relevant skills and experiences. A strong online presence can attract recruiters.
- Practice Interview Skills: Take the time to practice your interview techniques. Always research the company and role beforehand to prepare relevant questions and answers.
- Utilize Career Services: Schedule meetings with CU Boulder Career Services early in your search. They can provide valuable insights and resources to support your job hunt.
- Do Your Research: Before interviews, familiarize yourself with the companies you’re applying to. Mention specific projects or products to demonstrate your enthusiasm.
- Highlight Challenges and Growth: Discuss specific areas of previous projects where you excelled and struggled and how you overcame those challenges. This illustrates your growth mindset and problem-solving abilities.
- Market Yourself: Connect your skills and experiences to the company’s values and goals, emphasizing your overall fit beyond just technical qualifications. If you don’t see yourself aligning with company values, that’s good to know too.
- Be Personable in Interviews: Employers appreciate candidates who fit well within their company culture. Don’t be afraid to show your personality with authenticity and eagerness to learn.
- Believe in Yourself and Stay Persistent: Confidence is key! Trust in your abilities and remember that persistence is crucial in the internship search.
Companies that connected with 70 SWE student members included: BOA Fit System, BrightLine Group, CMTA, First RF, Lockheed Martin, Monolith, Pattern Labs, Qorvo, Quantinuum, Sandia National Laboratories, Spectrum and Ursa Major.
Ameenah Razi, a first-year computer science student, was excited about expanding their horizons with new companies they weren’t aware of.
“I learned about a lot of opportunities and companies I wouldn’t have thought to look for, but now I’ll be applying to them,” said Razi.
Students who have internship experiences already under their belt, like fourth-year mechanical engineering student Aubrey Ley, enjoyed providing tips to freshmen and sophomores about their own experiences. Ley was a space manufacturing intern at Lockheed Martin last summer.
Since the event, Ley has connected with a number of companies for their job search and has been in touch with a recruiter about full-time roles after graduation.
Sara Leschova, vice president for SWE who organized the event, was proud of attracting more companies than in previous semesters.
“Several members who attended the event said they learned about new companies and have connected with recruiters,” said Leschova.
“That’s exactly why we hold industry events like this.”