All Engineering Physics students are required to complete an internship prior to graduation. The summer internship requirement is not directly part of a course, but the Professional Development series (ENGP 3430/3440) is heavily focused on helping students to acquire an internship. In the first semester of the course, students are introduced to various fields of engineering, engineering roles, and how to locate open positions. Students develop their resume, write cover letters, practice interviewing, and learn the importance of networking. In the course, students are required to submit applications and attend career fairs and networking events. The professor meets individually with students to develop a plan to find an internship.
To confirm that they have met the internship requirement, students fill out a survey regarding their internship experience. We then reach out to the internship supervisor to obtain feedback on student performance. Completion of the intern and supervisor surveys is considered proof of internship. If the supervisor is unresponsive, students are required to submit pay stubs or similar documentation to confirm their employment.
Internship guidelines are as follows:
- Obtain an engineering-related internship or experience
- Example roles: any type of engineering, research, project management, technical sales, STEM education
- The position can be paid or unpaid
- The student should gain a minimum of 160 hours of experience (equivalent to 4 weeks of full-time work)
If the student has not found an internship by their senior year, we strongly encourage the student to find a position in a faculty research lab or local engineering firm during the school year.
