<p>I've gotten my past 3 internships / co-op through my school. Next summer (May 09) I'm thinking of applying outside of the co-op system. When would be a good time to start sending out resumes? Usually with co-op, the system allows us to start mid / end of January for jobs in May.</p>
<p>A good place to look would be your school's career fair. Find out when that is and hand out a few resumes there.</p>
<p>I'll definately keep my eyes open at the career fair. There aren't too many companies there for civil / environmental engineering (maybe 5) so I'm mostly thinking of sending resumes to companies i see on the internet.</p>
<p>It's probably a good time to start sending out resumes around the time of the career fair. I'd advise doing it before December.</p>
<p>Send out resumes but spend a good bit of time researching the companies and writing a good cover letter detailing why you want to work for that company. In fact, it may not be a bad idea to send a shortish email to the HR people asking if they even have a co-op program, and for details and THEN send the resume and cover letter after they respond, since then there is some 2 way conversation going on. I started the process around October when I wanted to start in May, but I doubt you'd need to start that early. It isn't a bad idea to start a little while before Christmas break, though, since you may be able to interview over Christmas Break. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Most civ HR departments don't start posting internship positions until March. This holds true for both companies I've worked for, and for several others that I've talked with. Sending resumes earlier would be safer than sending them later, but if you send them too early you run the risk of having them get lost in the shuffle. I'd say send 'em early and then follow up on them periodically with a couple of phone calls.</p>
<p>Look in your local ASCE chapter's newsletters for lists of companies. Or, PM me. I was once insane enough to send out 150 resumes to civ companies across the country, with personalized cover letters for each, and I think I still have the list of company names and addresses. I'd be happy to send it to you.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a list of company names, try McGraw-Hill Construction's publications. They have regional magazines across the United States, and each of them has a list of Top Contractors and Top Design Firms. The portal website is McGraw-Hill</a> Construction Online News, Project and Product Information. Find the drop down menu and go to your region. It should be under People & Firms. For New York's listing, they give addresses, phone numbers, and websites. I've seen others which just have the company name and city, but it should be easy enough to google those. They list MEP companies in addition to civil companies for design, so read carefully before blindly sending out resumes.</p>
<p>My current company must be an early bird I guess. We send out application forms and need them completed before winter break. For my previous company, they would hire on an as-needed basis since interns typically went to school in the city, and would work on part-time basis during the school year and full-time during the summer.</p>