<p>I am a second year student at a good engineering college and am thinking about getting an internship next summer (2015). My GPA is a 3.90 and my courses include the calculus series, thermodynamics, statics, materials, and FORTRAN programming. I applied to two internships within the last several months and one of them never responded while the other sent me an email telling me that another candidate had been chosen. For this upcoming summer I will be dong research with a nuclear professor to get experience in my field. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Apply to more than 2 internships. Many students send out 50+ internship applications from what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>You have to apply where there is a need to nuclear engineering. I think JPL might have a need. As your professor for help. </p>
<p>You have to send out a LOT of applications, to get 1 or 2 internships. Networking is even more effective. Visiting job fairs, talking with your professors or to other students who have already had internships (they may have contacts that they can share) can go a long ways to helping you land that internship. </p>
<p>Make it a point to join your school’s chapter of ANS and get involved. ANS can be very useful for networking.</p>
<p>I know a student studying nuclear engineering and has done internships every summer and he will be senior next year. Last year, he went to Germany for Summer intern. I remember he has more than one to choose from each year so I think there are opportunities although I don’t know how many he had applied.</p>
<p>I’m a nuclear engineering major. I’m currently working at a nuclear power plant for a year long internship. As far as nuclear engineering internships go:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Look for opportunities at the power plants. A nuclear power plant is a great place to see engineering at work. You don’t have to work at a power plant after you graduate, but the experience is valuable.</p></li>
<li><p>Westinghouse, Areva, GE: These are much harder to get for most people. Honestly, I wasn’t particularly impressed with Westinghouse. I turned down their offer to work at a power plant. </p></li>
<li><p>National Labs: Also difficult to come by. A good reference from a professor with connections can get you into one of these jobs.</p></li>
<li><p>Government/NRC: This is probably the second best bet for an internship.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I appreciate the answers.</p>