<p>First: What engineering internship is unpaid? Every one I have done have been around $4,000/mth. One I am in the running for right now is $5,000/mth… and that is in North Carolina.</p>
<p>Second: No one said he needs to be unemployed to SEARCH and APPLY for an internship. But he would need to leave for the last summer and on IF he received an offer for an internship… Employers look favorably on internships, plain an simple. They also lead into employment after the internship. </p>
<p>This is just my personal opinion from many interviews and talking to a lot of recruiters. Not having one will put you behind. What will you have to really even talk about in the interview that is even applicable…you need experience.</p>
<p>Also, loans may make you cringe, but this is an investment for your life…the rest of you life. Taking loans out for the last part of a year can be easily handled on an ECE salary. </p>