<p>So I'm applying as an engineering major and have one big concern- I have 0 experience. Once I enter college, how am I supposed to get that first internship with no knowledge of engineering? All I have is my school experience, but I know that I need more. Am I not the only one with this dilemma? HELP D:</p>
<p>Internships are not like full time jobs, they’re more educational experiences. When recruiters look for interns, they’re looking for a) prospective talent for future full time positions, b) offer experience to those who have limited experience as an educational opportunity, and sometimes c) spread word about their company.</p>
<p>That’s why freshman summer internships are rare, sophomore summer internships are a bit easier to find, and junior summer internships are very easy to find. They know that after 1 year, you may not know or learn that much, but after 2-3 years, they’re willing to give you a chance to learn more, and they assume that you’ve learned enough fundamentals to survive in a psuedo-full time position.</p>
<p>I know 3 ways to get experience when you have none, as a fresh college grad and/or student looking for an internship:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Have a good gpa and interview well - the high gpa will get you in the door and a good interview will land you job. IMO, this is very tough, and not really worth the effort in the long run. Even if you get the internship, wow those your work for, and manage to stay in contact with them until you graduate, they will probably only then be halfway decent references… which is the real reason you want the internship in the first place.</p></li>
<li><p>Know someone - probably the best way to get a meaningful internsip or job even. Why? Because networkers care, and people who care make good mentors and bosses. This is really who you want to work for. If someone is on the lookout for someone to care about then chances are they will do a good job caring for you and your needs.</p></li>
<li><p>Do something no one else is - probably the second best way to find a job. You can either find a niche; do a job that no one else either wants to or aren’t aware of. Or, you can go about finding a job in a creative fashion. Either way you will stand out because of your ability to see adversity and overcome it through nontraditional manners, a good trait in an engineer. I don’t normally take interns, or anyone with less than 5 years or experience, but I have one now. I have one because she called the local chamber of commerce and asked who was hiring in the area and who would be likely to be looking for engineering interns. Then, she called all of those names she got, and one of them was mine. I liked her approach and gave her a shot, and she is working out well… The best part, for her, is that while we are a small R&D company and probably can’t hire her after her senior year, many of us have worked for large established companies and are well connected… I don’t think she’ll have a problem finding a job.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this advice helps.</p>
<p>There’s a good chance that you won’t get an internship during your first summer because, well, you are a freshman and don’t know that much.</p>
<p>A good option would be to look for undergrad research programs at your university. There are often special programs aimed at freshman and sophomore undergrads. It would give you an introduction to research and it’s related experience for your resume for when you do want to get that.</p>
<p>It’s important to ask early though, as research monies are funded by grants and as positions get promised, few more will be added.</p>
<p>Of course the number one thing you should take as comfort is the fact that you are in the same boat in this regard as probably 98% of the rest of incoming freshmen. You just need a good, relevant way to stand out over the rest of your no-experience peers. This usually means GPA and other redeeming qualities in the eyes of the recruiters.</p>