What Are the Different Types of Industrial Engineering Internships?

Industrial engineering internships help people gain experience in the world of industrial engineering, usually while they are still students. These type of internships can be found in a variety of places, including manufacturing facilities, consulting firms, and design firms. Global industrial engineering internships are available for students who are interested in traveling to a new location to learn more about industrial engineering in a different part of the world. Internships can last for varying lengths of time and be paid or unpaid, depending on the organization and the experience level of the individual.

Students interested in pursuing industrial engineering internships can find employment at a variety of different kinds of organizations. Any company that designs or manufactures products has industrial engineers who work for them, so internships are available at technology companies, in production facilities, and with the government. In addition, industrial engineering internships can be found at design firms, which focus on creating designs and prototypes for new products. Some industrial engineers work as consultants to organizations who are struggling with the manufacturing process, and students can find internships with these organizations as well.

Companies offer industrial design internships that are both full-time and part-time. Most students do not have time to work full-time while attending school, but full-time internships are offered in the summer and as a post-graduate opportunity for industrial engineers in-training. Part-time internships provide students with the opportunity to work for an organization while they are still taking courses in school. These internships can be paid or unpaid depending on the company, but many opportunities are provided for paid internships, though they can be more competitive.

Some organizations offer the opportunity for an internship that teaches students about industrial engineering on a global scale. These internship programs are located in a different geographical area from where the student attends school, and are often found with companies that have worldwide businesses or trade. Students can find out about these opportunities by speaking with the advisor at the school they are attending.

The length of time that industrial engineering internships last varies depending on the needs of the student and the organization. Internships can last for up to one year, while summer internships generally last for three to four months. Students need to consider their needs for employment, experience, and whether they are interested in staying with the company after they graduate from college.