<p>So how crucial is it to get an internship somewhere before you graduate? This summer I plan on taking summer school. Next summer, I plan on going abroad. I have some tentative plans for the two summers afterwards that may or may not include getting an internship. Should I be reconsidering?</p>
<p>It is very VERY important to. Using first summer for summer school is fine. 2nd year, if you're good, you can land an internship. Good as I mean you have interest and a "head start" skill that meets the qualifications of the internship position. Or else, you can get one through internal connections with employees (that I don't mean by just talking with one at the career fair; the HR manager is the one who is in charge).</p>
<p>It is a little difficult to get an internship 2nd year (but not even close to impossible) if you follow the UCLA curriculum. There are many skills you haven't learned even after 2 years according to the schedule they advise you to take. That's why more 3rd years get the internship. But if you're smart (GPA > 3.5) and you have SKILLS through research/interest in a specific field, you will have a high chance of getting an internship.</p>
<p>You definitely should consider getting one 3rd summer. When you graduate, companies want someone who wants experience in the industry. Even one with a small company helps (not as much as with a larger company).</p>
<p>how demanding are most internships, as far as time commitments?</p>
<p>Engineering employers will hire someone with a 2.5 and worked there as a great intern over someone with a 3.5. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>how many hours per week generally?</p>
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Engineering employers will hire someone with a 2.5 and worked there as a great intern over someone with a 3.5.
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<p>What kind of company would hire an intern with < 3.0, not to say < 2.6? Coming back to this small company wouldn't be a challenge, right? :rolleyes:</p>
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how demanding are most internships, as far as time commitments?
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At least for big companies, internships are ** full time positions ** most, if not all of the time. That means you won't be able to take summer courses at the same time. If you can pull that off, then you would be prepared for taking an MBA in the future (in terms of time management/discipline).</p>
<p>But if you work for a small company, it may be part time. I guess that's because they're less serious</p>
<p>The amount of time you are working (real work) varies as well. Some of time time, you are training, touring, sitting in presentations, etc. But there is definitely projects you must work on. I can't tell you much about them; you have to find out yourself.</p>
<p>Pay varies as well - you can earn probably around $25/hr for a good firm. Average salary is probably lower though.</p>
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You got me there... I was pulling numbers out of thin air, but you know what I mean. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>If you get workstudy, you can try applying to engineering positions listed on the myfao website. I'm working at the engineering lab department and it's a pretty relaxing job - but it's definitely not an internship sorta work</p>