Request InfoApply
Engineering Program

Engineering Internships

Internships are a vital part of starting any professional career, especially in Engineering. They build your reputation as a competent employee, show you can handle real world work and allow potential employers to see your abilities first hand. This page is dedicated to compiling helpful links for resume creation and networking websites. Additionally it answers some of the common questions that come up when looking for an internship. These resources are designed to help you in finding, applying, and accepting internships.

FAQ

Male:

  • Business Formal

    • Suit

    • Collared dress shirt

    • Tie (optional)

    • Dress Shoes

  • Business Casual

    • Button-down or polo

    • Slacks (avoid jeans)

    • Blazer (if you want to be extra fancy)

    • Clean closed-toed shoes

Female:

  • Business Formal

    • Suit or professional/conservative dress

    • Closed-toed shoes or low heels

  • Business Casual

    • Blouse with slacks or skirt (knee length and below)

    • Closed-toed shoes or flats

What is appropriate?

  • When in doubt, dress one step more formally! Make sure that your outfit looks clean, wrinkle-free, and fits well. You can even research a company’s culture to get a better sense of how you can dress to impress!

The short answer is no, unless:

  • You’re a first/early second-year student and have minimal college experience.

  • You achieved something noteworthy in high school that is still relevant (i.e. a national award).

  • You’re applying to a unique internship that specifically values your high school career.

Once you’ve finished your first year of college, your resume should shift to:

  • College education and GPA (optional-not needed)

    • As an underclassman who lacks experience, it can be beneficial to add your GPA to a resume. This can communicate that you’re a good learner!

  • Relevant projects

  • Extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other noteworthy activities<

  • Skills and experience that are relevant to your field

Include work experience in order of relevance/chronological order.

  • Here’s the truth: The first internship is the hardest to get, it only gets easier. Upperclassmen are prioritized over underclassmen because of experience. A company is much more likely to hire someone who has more years of schooling and projects under their belt. Do not be discouraged! It is still important to go to events, network, and apply to internships to begin to circulate your information. This heightens your chances of getting an internship as an upperclassman.

  • Good mentality: Have the mentality that if you look hard enough, you will find an internship. Some companies specifically want to invest in the younger students!

  • If you’re struggling to find an internship in your specific concentration, consider looking across disciplines.

LinkedIn is an online professional website used for career development and job searching. Upon creating and customizing your profile, recruiters are able to view your account. This software is great for networking and job searching. This allows you to see the work companies are doing and the people who are involved in them. You can think of it as a professional social media where you post and talk about work experience and projects. You can also have your resume and other information available for people to see on your profile, like whether you are currently looking for work or not. Everyone should make a LinkedIn profile and begin building their network of connections. If you would like help with creating your linkedin account or editing a current one try the Quinnicia AI tool which we cover below.
Handshake is an online career platform specifically designated for students interested in jobs and internships. You are able to customize your job/internship search, and recruiters can reach out with offers! The University also has a couple of resources available within Handshake, like requesting an appointment with the CAP Center to help with anything related to career preparation, including information on grad schools. They also have various resume and interviewing resources, and lists of relevant job opportunities.
  • Portfolium is a free digital portfolio platform that allows people to visually showcase professional work and projects. 

  • Link Portfolium to LinkedIn!

  • Quinnicia is an AI tool free for all George Fox students that reviews resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

  • Schedule mock interviews to practice interviewing skills.

Resources

Tips and Tricks 
Getting an Internship

  1. Should I attend career fairs?

    Show up! Although upperclassmen are more likely to snag an internship, it’s important that anyone attends a career fair for the sake of networking. Bring your resume, business cards if you have them, and dress well. Get your name out there.

  2. What is networking? Should I do it?

    Networking is simply the practice of intentionally building up and creating professional relationships with people in your field or people who are connected to your field. This is a way to have your information out there, find opportunities, and gain support!

  3. Social Skills

    Social skills are very important in the internship hiring process. When first meeting someone from a company, a potential employer, make sure to hold eye contact and to shake their hand confidently. The interaction you have, say at a career fair with someone from the company, will parallel how you’d act in a job setting. Employers analyze these things! A resume can be decked out with technical skills, but if those skills don’t include communication and teamwork/collaboration, a company may consider hiring someone else.

Request Info
Visit
Apply