How hard is it to get a paid internship?

Getting a paid internship while going to school can be difficult. As a current student myself, I've seen that applying to as many internships as possible will increase your chances of getting a few responses or interview opportunities. Another useful tip is to leverage your network - ask upperclassmen or people around you particularly in the industry field you're looking to work in. They may know someone in a company looking for an intern or know of an opening in their own network as well.

Participating in extracurricular activities can also be beneficial in showing your interviewers your best qualities through experiences you may have had that can display leadership, problem-solving skills, or your passions. They can also differentiate you from your peers and increase your chances of landing the job. Good luck!

Hi Nathan,

Based on my experience through having three kids who had gotten internships in college, getting a paid internship takes a lot of work in searching for opportunities and networking through your college career services and engineering dept offices.

Normally paid internships are available after junior year in college when the internship companies want to try to hire you for a full time position after you leave college. But that is not to say you can’t get an internship earlier in your college career. You need to have top grades to get paid internships earlier, but you should also get a paid position between freshman and sophomore year so you can make some money for college and gain some work experience even if it is not in engineering.

Don’t discount family friends who may be able to provide lead to internships. You should explore all potential avenues.

Stay positive and networking is the key in internships and pursuing job opportunities later in life,

Good luck