Why participate in a co-op or internship?
- Gain knowledge of the industry – gain hands-on experience in a professional setting.
- Explore your career path – these experiences can help you confirm your interests or discover new ones.
- Build your resume – a strong resume can help you obtain and approach interviews in a positive and confident manner.
- Develop new skills - learn new skills and apply what you've learned in the classroom in a practical way.
- Make connections - meet professionals in your field and start building your professional network.
- Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher institutional cumulative GPA to enroll in the Engineering Co-op Program, for all work-school rotations.
- You must be declared in-major status prior to first work term, with an approved work plan by your academic advisor.
- Three-semester commitment with the same company and co-op experiences are always paid.
- Co-op takes place year-round and students gain up to one year of experience and is a full-time work experience.
- Co-op students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth skillset and manage their own projects during their work terms.
- Companies give more responsibility to co-op students due to the longer period of time spent at the company.
- Co-op students receive priority registration status and are able to register each semester during the early registration period for priority students.
- Students do not pay tuition during co-op work semesters and are enrolled in a 0-credit hour course to maintain student status.
- Students must maintain good academic standing per Auburn University's policy (GPA of 2.0 or higher) to enroll in the Engineering Internship Program.
- One semester commitment.
- Internships typically take place only during the summer semester or 10-12 weeks but can happen during fall and spring semesters as well.
- Internships may be part-time or full-time.
- Internships allow students to spend time at different companies.
- Students can intern as early as the summer after their freshman year.
- Students do not pay tuition during internships and are enrolled in a 0-credit hour course to maintain student status.
Interested in learning more about a co-op or internship?
- Attend a Co-op and Internship Interest Meeting during a fall or spring semester.
- Complete the Co-op and Internship Interest Form.
Search and Secure
- Participate in and complete Co-op and InternReady. You will be automatically enrolled in this free 0-credit Canvas course upon completion of the Co-op and Internship Interest Form.
- Meet with an Engineering Career Coach: Schedule an Appointment on Handshake.
- Stop by the CDCR during Drop-Ins on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Visualize your potential co-op work rotations!
Report and Enroll
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- Have you secured an internship or co-op for a future semester?
- A formal approved offer letter is required to submit reported work experience.
- To be active in the Co-op Program, students must enroll in COOP 4910 (first work term) / 4920 (second work term) / 4930 (third work term). Students in work rotations do not pay tuition. There is a $100 course fee that will be incurred during the second term.
- Sign and return the Co-op Work Plan prior to the first Co-op work term (for engineering students).
- If coursework is needed during the work semester, you must have academic advisor approval and have the course(s) included on your work plan. It is recommended that no more than five credit hours are taken during a work semester.
- Work for the same employer for at least three semesters.
- Complete required assignments during the work term which include a work information survey at the beginning of the semester, a check-in survey mid-semester, and a SkillSurvey at the end of the semester to receive a satisfactory grade in the course. All courses are graded S/U.
- Work for the assigned period of time established by the employer in the offer letter and in accordance with Auburn University’s academic calendar unless special arrangements have been made with your employer. Under no circumstances will special arrangements be allowed to permit late arrival on campus after the first day of classes for scheduled school semesters.
- Complete three work surveys sent to you via email at the beginning of the semester, a check-in survey mid-semester, and a SkillSurvey at the end of the semester to receive a satisfactory grade in the course. All courses are graded S/U.
- To be active in the Engineering Internship Program, students must enroll in the Engineering Internship course, ENGR 3920 (Undergraduate) or 7920 (Graduate). The course is a 0-credit hour, $0-fee course that documents their internship on their transcript.
- Work for the assigned period of time established by the employer in the offer letter and in accordance with Auburn University’s academic calendar unless special arrangements have been made with your employer. Under no circumstances will special arrangements be allowed to permit late arrival on campus after the first day of classes for scheduled school semesters.
- Complete three work surveys sent to you via email at the beginning of the semester, a check-in survey mid-semester, and a SkillSurvey at the end of the semester to receive a satisfactory grade in the course. All courses are graded S/U.
International Students: Steps to Obtain Work Authorization
- Conduct an internship search. Stay in communication with your Engineering Career Coach, Academic Advisor, and International Student Advisor.
- Obtain a written internship offer letter from a company or organization.
- Report your internship to the Engineering CDCR.
- Obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application form from the Office of International Students and Scholars Services.
- Obtain signature approval from your department.
- Register for ENGR 3920 (undergraduate) or 7920 (graduate) Engineering Internship Course (0-credit) during the semester you will engage in the internship.
- Complete and submit your CPT application.
- Confirm CPT work authorization approval - reviewed by the Office of International Students and Scholars Services.
When should I accept the internship offer?
The Office of International Students and Scholars Services cannot process your CPT application until after your enrollment in ENGR 3920. If ever in doubt about the timing of your internship offer acceptance, meet with an Engineering Career Coach to strategize your plan.
In all circumstances, make sure you do not complete any hire paperwork or company orientation until after your CPT application is processed and approved.
Do I need to be enrolled in classes during my internship?
Fall and Spring Semesters
- Part-time internship | Enroll in ENGR 3920 or 7920 (0) and additional courses to remain a full-time student
Summer Semester
- Part-time and full-time internships | Enroll in ENGR 3920 or 7920 (0)
- You are not required to enroll in additional coursework during the summer for internship reporting or work authorization purposes
Are you not a student in the College of Engineering and interested in obtaining a co-op or internship?
- Interested in learning more about a co-op or internship? Internship Interest Form
- Attend a Co-op and Internship Interest Meeting
- Report Your Co-op
Please contact your Career Services unit for more assistance:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Recruiting Timeline
Internship application deadlines vary, often depending on specific industry areas and organization types. It is best to identify potential organizations of interest early in the fall semester to determine where the deadline might fall and proceed accordingly.
This timeline outlines a typical on-campus recruiting schedule for each academic year.
| Early September |
Recruitment activity begins |
| September |
Peak volume for on-campus recruiting events |
| October |
High-volume on-campus recruiting activity continues |
| November |
Reduced on-campus recruiting activity |
| December |
No on-campus recruiting activities |
| January - February |
High volume for on-campus recruiting events |
| March - April |
On-campus recruiting continues, typically for "just-in-time" hiring |
Co-op + Internship Ambassadors are a group of student leaders devoted to outreach and programming to increase awareness of the Co-op + Internship Program and encourage undergraduate participation. Co-op + Internship Ambassadors are upperclassmen who have successfully completed at least one co-op or two internship work terms, demonstrate leadership on campus and at their respective workplaces, and want to positively impact the campus community at large. Eligible students will be invited to apply for this volunteer role in March of each year.
Interested in connecting with an ambassador to ask about their experience?
Complete the Ambassador Connections survey or email any student below.
Below are the Fall 2024 Co-op + Internship Ambassadors.
Annabel Morrisard
Chemical Engineering
Co-op, SABIC
Bexley Knight
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Internship, STERIS | LPL Financial
Callie Stevenson
Electrical Engineering
Co-op, NASA
Camille Daugherty
Civil Engineering
Co-op, Enercon Services
Campbell Brown
Electrical Engineering
Co-op, Neptune Technology Group | Internship, Leonardo DRS
Jackson Miller
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Co-op, Mercedes-Benz
William Kong
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Co-op, Delta Air Lines
Chris Hinkson
Software Engineering
Co-op, Club Car
Evan Long
Mechanical Engineering
Co-op, BMW
Glen Stahl
Materials Engineering + Industrial & Systems Engineering
Co-op, GE Appliances | Internship, Disneyland, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Jacob Hurst
Civil Engineering
Co-op, Engineering Consulting Services
Jagger Lynn
Computer Engineering
Co-op, Neptune Technology Group
Jesvin Joseph
Computer Engineering
Co-op, Club Car
Josh Dobelbower
Aerospace Engineering
Co-op, Gulfstream Aerospace Company
Kralyn Thomas
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Internship, KIA | Milliken & Co
Leighanna Howell
Mechanical Engineering
Co-op, Neptune Technology Group
Peyton Carr
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Co-op, Johnson & Johnson
PJ Green
Mechanical Engineering
Internship, International Paper | Co-op, Honda
Shrimayi Karanam
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Co-op, Johnson & Johnson
Tori McDermott
Chemical Engineering
Co-op, SABIC
Tucker Strane
Aerospace Engineering
Internship, Integrated Solutions for Systems | Co-op, Fokker
Tyler Teufel
Software Engineering
Internship, LPL Financial
Wesley Lowman
Computer Science
Co-op, NASA