So my rising senior son is an aero major who has failed to secure an internship for the summer and is super down about it. He has a decent GPA slightly over 3.0 and OK extracurriculars but just no bites whatsoever at career fairs. My question is, is it too late for this summer or are some companies still hiring? He is defeated and has given up but I keep telling him to continue scouring online job boards. He claims that is a waste of time. Anyone have any experience with securing an internship this late in the game? Also, does no internship prior to senior year (he had one after sophomore year at a small firm] doom him for a job after graduation?
Try looking at really small companies who you might have personal connections to. I just got a CAD internship last week at a small company (I think its just one guy plus one other intern) and I think my dad, who runs a small software engineering firm would hire someone if they met his specifications. At this point I would just have him email/talk to every small engineering company in your area as he can even if they dont say they have a specific opening. Again, personal connections also help so if you have any friends that work in small firms try seeing if they can help.
Hi Incadinca,
If he is ok with it, I would suggest trying to see if he can apply to internships during the school year. That would cut away around 75% of the competition. In addition it might provide a new-found spark of motivation. Often people work a few months and that gives them the motivation they need to seek out better opportunities. If anything, during the summer he can polish up his resume and applications and perhaps perform some independent projects.
I hope your son can take this as a learning lesson going into the job market, but I wish him the best of luck!
Thank you for the replies @r77r77 and @snowfairy137!
It can be very daunting, even for very qualified students. My son has a 3.8, good ECs and previous internships, and until late in this cycle it was largely crickets. Have him go to the career center and make sure his resume is ATS compliant. If that’s a foreign term, a quick Google search will clarify.
As a side note, an engineer who I trust and who has hired many interns and full time employees told me that it’s easier to land an entry level job than an internship.
Wish him luck.
Thank you, @eyemgh. I will share your thoughts with him. Your side note will help lift his spirits a bit I think so thanks for that.
I don’t know where you live but I always suggest looking at the craigslist as smaller companies advertise there. If there is any engineering job that your son thinks sounds interesting, he should email to the company that he is looking for a summer internship and is very interested in any engineering experience he can get.
I would also look through Indeed, there are places on the left side to select experience level. Put in engineering intern as a search term.
It is also possible that one of the headhunting companies that hire engineers may have some thing. Like Aerotek. Google “Engineering Recruiters” to find ones close to you.
What city/state are you in?