What to Expect on an Engineering Internship

Whether we know it or not, engineering shapes all of our lives. From the cars we drive to the roads we drive on; as well as buildings, airplanes, and national infrastructure.  

That’s what makes engineering such a rewarding pursuit. The industry is so varied that you’ll be able to branch out and specialize into wherever your talents and interests lie. 

But the sector is increasingly competitive – especially with universities producing record numbers of engineering graduates each year.

Your degree is a good starting point for your career in engineering. But to really stand out, you need practical work experience in your field.

This is your way of demonstrating to prospective employers that you’re professional, hard-working, and committed to the job. 

In fact, employers are always more likely to take on successful interns or placement students than employees from outside the firm.

Engineering is a vital part of any given economy; from car manufacturers trading internationally, to power stations powering the electrical grid. 

Worldwide, major global companies include Boeing, Siemens and Hitachi; but you’ll also find a raft of small and medium-sized firms too.

Engineers are increasingly in-demand and the pay is high; particularly as you develop your skill-set and work towards accreditation. 

With enough experience under your belt, you may even want to think about going freelance. This is a great way of setting your own hours and choosing your own work. 

And you’ll make links with your fellow professionals too. Impress and you might receive promotions or job offers down the line.

But for now, let’s think about just what you can expect on an engineering internship.

Your first challenge is to work out what employers are looking for when hiring, and matching or developing your skill-set accordingly.

Generally speaking, an education up to degree level in a STEM-related field is vital. Most simply have a degree in engineering. However, depending on the sector, many engineers begin their careers with a degree in mathematics, physics, or computer science.

It also depends on your career path; some firms prefer those with a wide knowledge base, others prefer specialization.

To get their skills up to scratch, some opt for a conversion course. You might want to look into whether this is right for you. 

But beyond your formal qualifications, what attributes and skills are key to thriving in the world of engineering? What are firms looking for?

Naturally, a mathematical and analytical mind-set is absolutely vital. You’ll be regularly tackling complex mathematical or logarithmic problems.

But with those mathematical attributes must come creativity and lateral thinking. You won’t simply be transferring what you’ve previously learned. Instead, you’ll be thinking of new and inventive ways to apply your knowledge. No two problems will ever have the same solution.

Additionally, organization and attention to detail are all hugely important. Engineering is all about precision; the cost of human error is far higher here than in other sectors. But there’s nothing more rewarding than when you do get it exactly right. Whether you’ve designed a new car engine or electrical control system.

We won’t mince words: engineering is tough. Workloads can be high and deadlines can be unforgiving. So above all, you’ll need to demonstrate your passion for this sector, because a degree isn’t enough. Draw on your personal interests, group memberships, or talk attendances to show your excitement and enthusiasm for engineering.

From day one of your Beyond Academy internship, you’ll be treated as an equal.

If you’ve undertaken work experience or shadowing before, you might have found yourself stuck performing menial or administrative tasks. Or, worse still, fetching the coffee.

But with a Beyond internship, you’ll gain genuine and useful work experience.

After a brief introductory period, you’ll soon be working independently on a range of tasks. Keep a close eye on your deadlines and organize yourself accordingly; work hard and you’ll soon succeed.

If you need help or support, you’ll have an amazing team of colleagues who’ve seen and done it all. They’ll be able to offer any advice you need; as well as handy tips as you embark on your engineering career. 

Watching over you will be your manager. They’ll be your bedrock as you progress throughout your internship. You’ll be supported with pastoral care and regular meetings to review how you’re getting on.

You’ll also receive invites to informal team events; including after-work dinners and drinks. This is a great way of getting to know your colleagues better; the informal relationships you build will benefit your working life immeasurably.

The main attraction of an engineering internship is the opportunity to gain amazing hands-on experience. You’ll have the chance to apply the theory you’ve learnt to real-world situations. 

Where you’ll be based can vary. You might be working in an office or a lab; or even an aircraft hangar or factory production facility. Or you might mix and match these locations as you progress through your cases. 

Depending on your projects and chosen sector, this can be an industry that requires long stretches of solo working; but you’ll usually have the chance to work alongside a close-knit team too. 

You’ll likely end up doing a fair bit of travelling as you work, including site visits to overseas conferences. And you might need to undertake shift work to ensure there’s always somebody overseeing a project that requires round-the-clock attention. 

There’s a strong chance of gaining a permanent position if you impress your firm. After all, it’s much easier for an employer to take on somebody they know they can trust to get on with the job.

Lastly, it’s important to note that women are under-represented in this sector. But if engineering is right for you, don’t let that put you off applying. There are plenty of initiatives across the world aiming to address this gender disparity; from WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) in the UK and the Society of Women Engineers in the United States.

Practical work experience is important. But with Beyond Academy, you’ll get even more out of your internship.

We offer fourteen fantastic destinations for your engineering internship. From Amsterdam to Sydney to Tokyo, we cover the entire globe.

As you gain key engineering experience, you’ll also have the chance to discover stunning sights, fantastic day trips, and a culture entirely different to your own. Depending on your program, you might discover a city at the cutting edge of technological change. 

Museums, art galleries, and walking tours await; as do bars and restaurants offering an array of inviting food and drink. You’ll soak up the atmosphere and soon feel at home.

But this isn’t just about having a fun time. Employers don’t look kindly on glorified holidays.

A Beyond Academy internship is designed to develop you both personally and professionally. You’ll emerge from your work experience having successfully adapted to a foreign city and business culture and lots of international contacts. 

Overall, you’ll be more experienced and well-rounded. And that appeals to any employer.

If you’d like to read more into this, we’ve written about the challenges of selling your international experience in more detail here.

But for now, the most important thing to focus on is matching your course to your destination.

To begin with, we’d recommend countries with a strong engineering tradition. You might choose London to discover the UK’s high-class engineering heritage; from Jaguar Land Rover to BAE Systems. And home to BMW and Siemens, Berlin is another strong contender.

But fortunately, engineering is such a broad sector that you’ll be able to gain a strong grounding anywhere in the world. You’ll find large civil engineering projects in any country; and most major cities are home to prominent firms.

You might be worried about being dropped into a foreign city on your own; but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because a large part of your engineering internship will be your Beyond Community. 

As you work in your chosen city, you’ll be joined by a group of new and existing interns, just like you. 

Your first meeting with your community will be your welcome dinner. You’ll snack on some brand new and delicious cuisine as you get to know each other. You’ll soon become the closest of friends.

As you progress in your internship, you’ll have plenty of trips, dinners, and social events to attend with your new friends. It’s the best way of discovering your new country.

You’ll finish your internship with your farewell dinner. It’s always an emotional night; get ready to swap your favorite memories of your internship as you organize the details of your first group meet-up or video call. 

When you return home, you’ll find yourself missing your community most of all. There’s nothing quite like it.

If you’re a dedicated graduate looking to embark on a career in engineering, there’s never been a better time to apply. The sector is thriving across the world; from chemical to mechanical engineering, there are opportunities everywhere you look.

But if you want to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, consider an internship.

This is the best way to gain practical, hands-on engineering experience; and it demonstrates to employers that you’re hard-working and dedicated to the job.

You’ll apply the theory you’ve learned as you solve real-world problems and challenges. You’ll work with top engineering professionals, learning from their years of experience as they guide and support you.

And as you meet new people, you’ll develop a network of contacts that may come in handy down the line. From career advice to interview or job offers.

Most of all, you’ll have the chance to see whether this sector is really right for you. Beginning a career in this sector can be a big step; so getting a risk-free sample of life as an engineer is a great idea.

At Beyond Academy, we offer a range of engineering internships in 14 different locations. From Barcelona to Paris to Stockholm, our international internships are a fantastic way of gaining hands-on work experience with a professional firm.

Including internships in architectural engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, and many more; we tailor our bespoke programs to your aspirations and existing skills. 

This personalized approach ensures that your work experience works for you. 

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