Developing Your Career in Engineering With an Internship

Whether you’re a fresh engineering graduate or simply looking for a change, you’re thinking about a career in engineering. 

Engineering shapes the world around us. From aqueducts and airplanes to the cars we drive. 

No two engineering roles are the same, and that makes it one of the most rewarding jobs out there.  

This sector often makes up a large portion of a given economy, and covers a wide range of roles. Including telecoms, infrastructure, and aerospace engineering. 

Major global companies include BAE Systems, Balfour Beatty, and Mercedes; but much of the sector comprises small and medium-sized firms.

The good news is that there’s a high global demand for engineering professionals in this industry.

But you can’t just jump straight into your dream engineering role. You need to build up your skills and experience to prepare yourself.

And the best way to do that is through an internship. 

An engineering internship offers practical, on-the-job experience in your sector of choice. 

Not to mention, it also demonstrates to employers that you’re serious about the job.

Of course, you can always convincingly convert your educational experience and soft skills into professional potential. And many graduates do just that.

But as universities produce more and more graduates each year, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive. Think of it this way: if the choice is between someone with demonstrable work experience and someone without it, the former will be chosen every time.

We’ve established that an internship is a great way of gaining key work experience in engineering. But what do employers look for when hiring?

Generally speaking, a strong grounding in math and physics is vital. As is a degree in engineering; though some engineers have a degree in math, physics, or computer science. 

It depends on your sector; some firms prefer a more rounded set of knowledge and skills, others prefer specialization.

So it may be that you need to complete a conversion course.

But beyond formal qualifications, what about your skills and attributes?

As mentioned, a mathematical mind is a must. As is creativity; you’ll be constantly problem-solving and innovating, applying your theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges of design and implementation.

Precision and attention to detail are absolutely essential. Human error can have a serious knock-on effect in this industry; so you’ll never be completing things in a rush.

And lastly, you’ll want to demonstrate your dedication and enthusiasm. This isn’t an easy sector; workloads vary daily, and when deadlines approach things can get stressful. You’ll have to show that you’re keen to succeed and love what you do. Whether you’re a fan of aircraft design or you’re fascinated by water management systems.

Working with your firm, you’ll gain practical experience to complement the theory you’ve been studying. 

Day-to-day, you might work in an office, a factory production facility, a hangar, or a lab. It might even be a mixture of locations as you attend to the varied aspects of your workload. 

In some situations, you might be working alone for long stretches. For others you’ll have the support of a large team. This balance will shift depending on your projects.

You’ll sometimes be travelling on the job or taking overnight trips. Depending on your sector, you might undertake shift work, including evenings and weekends to cover events or meet deadlines.

And you might be required to travel overseas to attend conferences and courses. Though with a rise in remote networking, this is likely to be less prevalent than it once was.

If you work hard, many firms offer permanent jobs to those who impress on engineering internship schemes. 

Women are under-represented in this sector, though there are multiple initiatives in place to address this. Including WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) in the UK and the Society of Women Engineers in the United States. In fact, numbers are rising every year, so don’t be put off by this rewarding sector if this applies to you.

Engineering is an interconnected sector, and you’ll meet plenty of fellow professionals as you work. 

But to bolster your network, we recommend joining a union, guild, or institute. Attend events and workshops to keep your skills and knowledge up to date; and you’ll be able to stay abreast of the latest technology and engineering developments. 

Plus, you’ll meet like-minded individuals and forge links that can lead to job offers down the line. 

Engineers are in high demand and command high salaries, particularly at senior levels.

As you work, you’ll likely be progressing towards official accreditation. These will vary depending on where on the globe you choose to work. For example, in the UK this can include Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Incorporated Engineer (IEng). In the US, statutory requirements differ by state but there you’ll likely be aiming to become a Professional Engineer (PE). 

Practical engineering internship experience and working towards accreditation are a great way to boost your future prospects. 

And with enough experience under your belt, you may even want to go freelance. 

This is an opportunity to set your own hours, as well as cover multiple projects at once. You can build up your specialization by choosing the right work for you.

If you’re serious about a career in engineering, the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s civil or nuclear engineering, work experience is vital when it comes to standing out from your peers.

An internship is the best way of getting that practical engineering experience. It will demonstrate to employers your skills, enthusiasm, and reliability. Plus, if you choose to undertake an engineering internship abroad, it will shine a light on your adaptability.

You’ll work in an office or hands-on environment as you exercise your knowledge, skills, and creativity to tackle real-world problems.

And you’ll leave with greater insight into your chosen career and sector. Not only will you have the edge over your competitors; you’ll also get a sense of whether the job, or the industry, is right for you.

In addition, you’ll meet an array of professionals who’ve seen and done it all. As you build up your network of colleagues and contacts, you’ll receive top career and industry advice. This can make all the difference between taking the right next step or taking the wrong next step. 

All in all, an internship is a fantastic way to develop your career in engineering. Experience is always a good thing.

At Beyond Academy, we offer engineering internships in 14 different locations. From Barcelona to Tokyo to New York, our international internships are the best way of gaining hands-on work experience with a professional firm. 

Including mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, architectural engineering, and many more; we’ll factor in your previous experience and your career aspirations to ensure your internship is tailored to you.

This personalized approach is the best way to help you realize your dreams as you develop your career in engineering.

So if you’d like to find out more and begin planning your engineering internship, contact us and go Beyond!