<p>I'm looking for advice on obtaining an internship for an aerospace engineering company (Boeing, Lockheed, Ball, Blue Sky, etc.). I've previously tried to get internships and had no luck - I rarely even get an interview. I've decided that submitting my resume to an online databasefor these companies is not useful. Also, it seems like these internships are extremely competitive. Has anyone here been able to get an internship and, if so, what did you do in order to distinguish yourselves?</p>
<p>I’ve had multiple internships with one of the companies you’ve listed. These internships have also led to a full-time employment offer for myself.</p>
<p>Major aerospace engineering companies generally like to see that you have related experience before you intern with them. GPA is generally not a huge factor, although it certainly helps. 3.0+ GPA is a must, and I know for a fact that the average intern GPA for both Boeing and Lockheed are ~3.5. Many companies also have a list of “target” schools that they like to recruit from.</p>
<p>Also, don’t give up on applying to their online jobs website. Your best bet is to apply to tens if not hundreds of positions on their website, and try to visit those companies at your school’s career fair. Approach them and be very direct, state what position you are looking for, that you’ve applied to several positions online and are looking for the next “step”, and emphasize your experience. Networking always helps with bigger companies, so if you know someone that’s always a plus. Also, if you are keen on interning with an aerospace company, don’t dismiss the idea of doing so during a Fall/Spring semester. Generally the positions are less competitive, and companies like it more as they have you for a longer duration.</p>
<p>Recently retired as an engineering manager from one of those large companies you listed. We did have a list of “prefered” colleges we did hire from (and look for interns from). Not impossible if your school wasn’t on the prefered list, just needed something to make you stand out. The resumes were screened by an HR person that was actually a retired (and back working part time) engineering manager. So, I only got the screened package of resumes to look over. The minimum GPA stated on the app was 3.0. However, due to the number of resumes received most of the ones below about 3.4 were round filed. They also accepted only those that had completed their junior year and above. </p>
<p>There are many other smaller aerospace companies that are not as hard to get past the initial screening process. Try those, they may actually be able to provide a more meaningful internship.</p>