How do I Choose the Best Electrical Engineering Internship?

There are a variety of issues that must be taken into consideration when choosing the best electrical engineering internship. For instance, issues such as doing a sufficient job during the preparation process, knowing the particular work setting you hope to eventually work in, and knowing what sorts of things you want to gain from the internship can be important. Also, knowing your budgetary limits and having a sense of time requirements are additional issues that must be considered in choosing the best electrical engineering internship.

Doing an adequate job in the preparation process can make all the difference if you hope to get an electrical engineering internship. For instance, writing a good, focused resume can be helpful in getting a good internship. Joining an electrical engineering association as a student member may enable you to become aware of available internships. Also, registering with your college's career placement office will make you eligible to apply and interview for internships through your college.

Preliminary research done on the company or setting where you hope to do an internship and learning about its corporate culture could give you hints in the application process. For instance, knowing the corporate culture and knowing what the company values will give you insight into how you should present yourself as a prospective internship candidate. In addition, doing something as simple as writing a thank you letter to the interviewer could make a good impression and may improve your chances of getting the internship.

Knowing the electrical engineering work setting you eventually want to work in and knowing which geographical area you want to live in after college can be very helpful in your internship selection process. There are small, medium, and large engineering companies in various places. If you know you want to eventually work as a mechanical engineer at a specific company in a specific geographical area, then it could be helpful to simply apply for an electrical engineering internship at that company. If there are job openings at the time you graduate college, very often companies hire individuals who have been successful interns at their company. Also, even if you do not get hired at that company immediately after college, there may be a future opening and those doing the hiring may look favorably on your application if you had a successful college internship at the company.

Having a sense of exactly what you hope to gain from your electrical engineering internship can be important. For instance, consider whether you want to learn new skills or do networking. Also, consider the issue of whether you need to get college credit for the internship.

Of note, there are times when budget constraints may severely limit what you can choose in terms of internships. You may not be able to financially afford to move to a distant place to do an internship. When this happens, it can be helpful to try to find a local electrical engineering internship in the type of work setting you want.

Time constraints can also be a factor. For instance, some companies offer engineering internships during summer while some companies may only offer internships during the fall or spring. Your academic course schedule and finances will often dictate the time period you are able to do an internship. Thus, it can be helpful to try to find an engineering internship that fits in with your schedule.