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FACULTY

INTERNSHIPS

Internships are professional work experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to your field of study or career interest. Internships help you protoype or try on different career experiences to determine what you like and what you do not. They are defined as one-semester work experiences, however companies may offer an opportunity to return for a future semester.

Internships can take place during a fall or spring semester, but typically take place during the summer. You are eligible to intern as early as the summer after your freshman year, although some employers may prefer students who have completed more depth in coursework.

Have you secured an internship for a future semester?

INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES

The CDCR supports the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards on internships. These standards state that internships need to meet specific criteria to ensure compliance with the United States Department of Labor and Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA).

The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

BENEFITS

Internship experiences provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits, some of which include:

Gain exposure to real-world work settings which help you try out your career interests
Understand potential career paths before committing to a full-time position
Apply classroom concepts to solve problems in an industry environment
Meet and make connections with working professionals to develop your network
In recent years, starting salaries for Auburn Engineering students with co-op or internship experience were 8% higher than students with no professional experience.

TIMING AND DEADLINES

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 shows typical ranges in which to expect internship postings and application deadlines within engineering industry areas. Also keep in mind:

NASA considers applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis during a small window of time early in the fall semester
Companies with government contracts and evolving project demands hire throughout the year depending on projected needs

Aug - Oct: Recruiting and INverviewing, Nov - Dec: Confirming decisions and making offfers, Jan - Feb: Recruiting, Mar - Apr: Confirming decisions and making offers, June: Start full-time or internship role, Typically Larger Companies Recruit in the fall while smaller companies recruit in the spring

This timeline outlines a typical on-campus recruiting schedule for each academic year.

Early September	Recruitment activity begins Register for the InternReady interactive Canvas Course for guidance on seeking + securing an internship within the industry recruiting timeline. Attend CDCR Group Career Coaching sessions and Career Development workshops to prepare for recruitment season Schedule an Engineering Career Coaching appointment for further guidance on your individual preparation for recruitment season Apply for positions posted in Handshake and other platforms based on your areas of interest
September	Peak volume for on-campus recruiting events Complete a Mock Interview with Engineering Young Alumni Continue attending CDCR Group Career Coaching sessions and Career Development workshops to prepare for recruitment season Schedule an Engineering Career Coaching appointment for further guidance on your individual preparation for recruitment season Attend the College of Engineering Career Fairs Schedule Career Fair Interviews or other interviews if invited Attend other on-campus or virtual events to meet and interact with company representatives and alumni Review and apply for internships associated with Co-op and Internship Interview Days Continue to apply for other positions on Handshake and other platforms or company websites.
October	High-volume on-campus recruiting activity continues Attend Co-op and Internship Interview Days and Engineering Industry Days Continue to attend on-campus or virtual events to meet and interact with company representatives and alumni Continue to apply for positions Continue attending CDCR Group Career Coaching sessions and Career Development workshops to prepare for recruitment season Meet with an Engineering Career Coach to discuss questions about the search, interview, of job offer process Once you accept an internship offer, report your internships to the Engineering CDCR
November	Reduced on-campus recruiting activity Continue to apply for positions Speak with an Engineering Career Coach regarding job offers, decisions, and deadline Once you accept an internship offer, report your internships to the Engineering CDCR
December	No on-campus recruiting activities Continue to apply for positions through Handshake, other suggested platforms, and company websites
January - February	High volume for on-campus recruiting events Register for the InternReady interactive Canvas Course for guidance on seeking + securing an internship within the industry recruiting timeline. Attend CDCR Group Career Coaching sessions and Career Development workshops to prepare for recruitment season Schedule an Engineering Career Coaching appointment for further guidance on your individual preparation for recruitment season Attend the College of Engineering Career Fairs Schedule Career Fair Interviews or other interviews if invited Attend other on-campus or virtual events to meet and interact with company representatives and alumni Review and apply for internships associated with Co-op and Internship Interview Days. Continue to apply for other positions on Handshake, other suggested platforms, and company websites
March - April	On-campus recruiting continues, typically for "just-in-time" hiring Continue to attend on-campus or virtual events to meet and interact with company representatives and alumni Continue to apply for positions Continue attending CDCR Group Career Coaching sessions and Career Development workshops to prepare for recruitment season Meet with an Engineering Career Coach to discuss questions about the search, interview, of job offer process Once you accept an internship offer, report your internships to the Engineering CDCR

InternReady: HOW + WHERE TO SEARCH

REGISTER FOR InternReady

InternReady is an interactive Canvas course developed to guide you through the internship search process. It includes short, self-paced modules on topics including resumes, career fair preparation, internship search tools, and more. Each module is assigned to a deadline that will help you keep your internship search on track for the engineering industries recruiting timeline.

Open to all Engineering students.

ATTEND A LAUNCH YOUR ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP GROUP COACHING WORKSHOP

Work with an Engineering Career Coach and other engineering students to clarify your search goals, simplify your online search efforts, and improve search results. Topics include effective Handshake job searches, leveraging LinkedIn for internship searches, utilizing CareerShift, and techniques to connect with engineering alumni.

MEET WITH AN ENGINEERING CAREER COACH

Need more individualized support? Whether you are just beginning to learn about internships and consider the possibility or you are well on your way to seeking and securing an internship, you can meet with an Engineering Career Coach for guidance in the process.

WHERE TO SEARCH

Target your internship search by identifying criteria for your search. Consider focusing on a particular industry, position type, and/or location. This will help you effectively market yourself to the specific employers you're interested in. Focus on nore more than 10 - 15 organizations at one time.

Search Tools, Resources, and Events

Featured Jobs + Internships
Hint: Make sure you login to Handshake to view opportunities featured by CDCR!

REPORT YOUR INTERNSHIP + ENROLL IN ENGR 3920 or 7920

Once you secure an internship, you should complete the following steps.

1. REPORT YOUR INTERNSHIPS TO THE ENGINEERING CDCR. Complete the form below, which will include providing a copy of your job offer letter.

2. ENROLL IN THE ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP COURSE, ENGR 3920 (undergraduate) or 7920 (graduate). Enroll for the semester in which you will be completing your internship - fall, spring, or summer. ENGR 3920 is a 0-credit hour, $0-fee course that documents your internship experience on your transcript.

Benefits of ENGR 3920 and 7920

Maintain enrollment as a student and connection with the University while at work
Allows you to request placing your scholarships on hold
Allows you to request temporary removal of your dining plan if you are away from campus You are eligible to enroll
Receive structured feedback on job performance and guidance to convey performance strengths on your resume using the SkillSurvey Career Readiness competencies
Access to ENGR 3920 Canvas course providing guidance for your internship experience

Topics Covered in ENGR 3920 and 7920

Job onboarding documents and materials
How to network, leverage your work experience, and make the most of your internship
Positive work habits
Resources for personal and career development
Strategies for the transition between work and school
How to respond to inappropriate interactions or experiences in a workplace setting

3. CELEBRATE AT SignENG DAY. Once you report your internship, we also hope you will celebrate with us at the upcoming SignENG Day event, which takes place during Engineering Spirit Week each semester. Make sure to see event details and register.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS + INTERNSHIPS

STEPS TO OBTAIN WORK AUTHORIZATION

Conduct an internship search | Check out the resources above for How to Search. Stay in communication with your Engineering Career Coach, Academic Advisor, and International Student Advisor to help you prepare for and engage in the search.
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 at the Office of International Students and Scholars Services.
1. Obtain signature approval from your department
2. Register for ENGR 3920 (undergraduate) or 7920 (graduate) Engineering Internship Course (0-credit) during the semester you will engage in the internship
3. Complete and submit your CPT application
4. 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
Full-time internship | Enroll in ENGR 3920 or 7920 (0) + COOP 4920 (0) to remain enrolled as 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