One problem many masters in electrical engineering online degree graduates have when finding a job is that they lack experience. But how can you get experience without a job? It seems like a vicious cycle. An internship either before or after graduation can help, though.
Engineering internships are crucial both to the interns and to the industry. The interns gain the experience they need and the firms gain valuable assets in the interns. Interns can often be used to do legwork that the firms don’t want to bother their full-time employees with.
Not all internships are created equal. Some companies offer more opportunities at more locations and can give you a real leg up when applying for a job. Different firms offer different ways to focus and hone your engineering skills. Find the one that’s right for you.
INTEL
No matter your focus, Intel Corporation probably has an internship available to fit your specific needs. The computer giant is constantly on the lookout for interns for engineering, design, programming and more.
Intel has more than four dozen offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, The District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. In other words, you can intern close to home or on the other side of the country. It’s up to you.
SAP
Business software leader SAP is always on the lookout for internships at their worldwide offices, including their offices in Philadelphia, Dallas, D.C., and Palo Alto, Calif. SAP prides itself on the fact that their employees (and interns) are constantly learning. The company says that “regardless of your experience or role, you’ll have the support you need to meet and exceed your career goals.”
FOTH
Foth is a 600-member team of scientists, engineers, and professionals that focuses largely on civil engineering projects including transportation and infrastructure. The 75-year-old company boats a commitment to clients’ success and has the hardware to back it up, having received national and regional awards for excellence.
Foth has 18 offices across the U.S., but many of their internships require travel. If you’re looking to see the country, it may be a perfect option. And if you prefer not to travel, you may want to look elsewhere.
VMWareÂ
If you’re excited about the cloud, VMWare might be an excellent fit for you. The Palo Alto, Calif. company designs and provides cloud and virtualization software.
With a team of thousands of the best computer scientists and engineers, VMWare promises that even their interns are invited to become part of the creative process while simultaneously getting the support and knowledge they need from senior staff members.
CORNING
The world leader in specialty glass and ceramics is constantly looking for interns to help finding solutions to their clients’ needs. Based in Corning, N.Y., the company has more than 160 of history, giving it a solid foundation of existing research and development to build off of. Corning interns will have the freedom to work independently while also maintaining the ability to work with the company’s team of engineers.
