5 answers
Muhammad
Student
1
Question
Updated
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how the first-year student of mechanical engineering get internships in different industries? And how i get free courses?
I am from Pakistan so how i get internships in different industries?
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5 answers
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
A friend of mine was telling me about his little brother and the internship his brother ended up loving.
His little brother was in school for aeronautical or mechanical engineering (I can't remember) but his dream was to do his internship at NASA. All he wanted was to say he finished his degree and he was part of NASA. He tried until he got it! The problem was he was at NASA and they wanted him to file papers and do office things. He thought he was going to be on cool projects making rockets and satellites but that was far from the case. He left and he ended up with a company that made parts for helicopters. This was a shed in the middle of the desert somewhere with a team of machinists that did nothing but make helicopter parts. The first day he walked in the machinists there said "you an engineer?! Come over here we have been arguing about this all day let me show you something!". He walked over to a table and the machinists started asking him all sorts of questions about design and how particular parts worked. The machinists instantly respected him as an engineer and wanted his input to a problem they had been dealing with, the first day. I think he stayed there for years and loved every minute of it even though the job itself was not desirable.
Think of companies that need a mechanical engineer that might not be a well known company. There are plenty of manufacturing companies out there that will have internship programs that no one ever looks at or applies to. Just because a company is not on the news every night or they have sixty total employees doesn't mean they are a bad company. I have found it is often the opposite, small companies survive because the people there are passionate about making that company work and if they can get another person on the team they are very welcoming to new perspective in their field!
Another time I had met a lady who had just finished her first year in college and was going to start an internship under a mechanical engineer. She was really passionate about product design. Specifically office furniture, specifically office chairs. She was geeking out over office chairs the whole time we were talking. I only saw and talked to her once, but there is no doubt in my mind that she is the best office chair designer in the United States!
Think broadly and try companies that you have not heard of before just to see what they have to offer.
His little brother was in school for aeronautical or mechanical engineering (I can't remember) but his dream was to do his internship at NASA. All he wanted was to say he finished his degree and he was part of NASA. He tried until he got it! The problem was he was at NASA and they wanted him to file papers and do office things. He thought he was going to be on cool projects making rockets and satellites but that was far from the case. He left and he ended up with a company that made parts for helicopters. This was a shed in the middle of the desert somewhere with a team of machinists that did nothing but make helicopter parts. The first day he walked in the machinists there said "you an engineer?! Come over here we have been arguing about this all day let me show you something!". He walked over to a table and the machinists started asking him all sorts of questions about design and how particular parts worked. The machinists instantly respected him as an engineer and wanted his input to a problem they had been dealing with, the first day. I think he stayed there for years and loved every minute of it even though the job itself was not desirable.
Think of companies that need a mechanical engineer that might not be a well known company. There are plenty of manufacturing companies out there that will have internship programs that no one ever looks at or applies to. Just because a company is not on the news every night or they have sixty total employees doesn't mean they are a bad company. I have found it is often the opposite, small companies survive because the people there are passionate about making that company work and if they can get another person on the team they are very welcoming to new perspective in their field!
Another time I had met a lady who had just finished her first year in college and was going to start an internship under a mechanical engineer. She was really passionate about product design. Specifically office furniture, specifically office chairs. She was geeking out over office chairs the whole time we were talking. I only saw and talked to her once, but there is no doubt in my mind that she is the best office chair designer in the United States!
Think broadly and try companies that you have not heard of before just to see what they have to offer.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Muhammad
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Muhammad,
It's great that you are already looking for hands-on experiences! Are you studying in the US or in Pakistan?
"Real" internships are usually for students in junior or senior year or even graduates because the employer needs you to have some basic skills so you can work on a project in a meaningful way. You can use LinkedIn or Indeed to search for internships in industries you are interested in and check the requirements.
Having said that, you can definitely get hands-on experience participating in programs that are more educational and less work experience. Since you are in first year, your best bet might be to ask in your department if there are any research projects or something like a solar car club that you can get involved in. Your department might also have contacts to local industries that are taking early undergraduates. Ask admin, professors and older students for suggestions..
If you are in the US, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a funded program run at many universities. You can search for sites. National labs also have summer programs for undergraduate students. You can also check with professional societies if they have listings for internships and educational opportunities.
If there are any career days at your university, attend and ask company reps for advice and referrals to any programs they might have.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
It's great that you are already looking for hands-on experiences! Are you studying in the US or in Pakistan?
"Real" internships are usually for students in junior or senior year or even graduates because the employer needs you to have some basic skills so you can work on a project in a meaningful way. You can use LinkedIn or Indeed to search for internships in industries you are interested in and check the requirements.
Having said that, you can definitely get hands-on experience participating in programs that are more educational and less work experience. Since you are in first year, your best bet might be to ask in your department if there are any research projects or something like a solar car club that you can get involved in. Your department might also have contacts to local industries that are taking early undergraduates. Ask admin, professors and older students for suggestions..
If you are in the US, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a funded program run at many universities. You can search for sites. National labs also have summer programs for undergraduate students. You can also check with professional societies if they have listings for internships and educational opportunities.
If there are any career days at your university, attend and ask company reps for advice and referrals to any programs they might have.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Larry Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
30
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Muhammed,
The answers you've already gotten regarding internships are good and thorough so I'm only advising the availability of "free courses".
I have to assume you're still in high school for my answer. If you take and pass AP (Advanced Placement) courses in high school and get a test score of 4 or 5 when you complete the course, most colleges will (in many cases) accept those courses as college credit. They will waive elective course requirements so you won't have to take those courses. If you have gotten good grades in 3 AP courses, those 9 credits will be taken into consideration by any college you apply to; 9 credits of college courses may be waived. Colleges generally will not allow courses specifically in your major to be waived. For instance, an AP Calculus course will get a math course waived but not a Vibrations course. An AP English course will get a Humanities course waived but not a Fluid Mechanics course, etc.
The only other way I know to get "free courses" is by getting credit for practical experience. Some internships can count as college credits. Usually those practical experience college credits are prearranged by the college so your faculty advisor would be able to show you what they offer.
Mechanical engineering is the most practical of the engineering disciplines. With a mechanical engineering degree you can branch out into many other forms of engineering such as aerospace, materials, and industrial. You've got some tough classes coming up but it's worth the hard work. You will meet and work with some very smart people; learn from them and share your knowledge with others. Best wishes and luck to you.
Regards,
Larry A.
The answers you've already gotten regarding internships are good and thorough so I'm only advising the availability of "free courses".
I have to assume you're still in high school for my answer. If you take and pass AP (Advanced Placement) courses in high school and get a test score of 4 or 5 when you complete the course, most colleges will (in many cases) accept those courses as college credit. They will waive elective course requirements so you won't have to take those courses. If you have gotten good grades in 3 AP courses, those 9 credits will be taken into consideration by any college you apply to; 9 credits of college courses may be waived. Colleges generally will not allow courses specifically in your major to be waived. For instance, an AP Calculus course will get a math course waived but not a Vibrations course. An AP English course will get a Humanities course waived but not a Fluid Mechanics course, etc.
The only other way I know to get "free courses" is by getting credit for practical experience. Some internships can count as college credits. Usually those practical experience college credits are prearranged by the college so your faculty advisor would be able to show you what they offer.
Mechanical engineering is the most practical of the engineering disciplines. With a mechanical engineering degree you can branch out into many other forms of engineering such as aerospace, materials, and industrial. You've got some tough classes coming up but it's worth the hard work. You will meet and work with some very smart people; learn from them and share your knowledge with others. Best wishes and luck to you.
Regards,
Larry A.
Thanks for the help.
Muhammad
Lorenzo Gholston
11
Answers
Updated
Lorenzo’s Answer
Hi Muhammad,
My colleagues shared some helpful ideas. You might also want to check with student organizations at your school. Engineering clubs or groups could have information about activities or internships in mechanical engineering. Additionally, you can use the internet to find free mechanical engineering courses. Udemy is a good option if it's accessible in your country.
Good luck!
My colleagues shared some helpful ideas. You might also want to check with student organizations at your school. Engineering clubs or groups could have information about activities or internships in mechanical engineering. Additionally, you can use the internet to find free mechanical engineering courses. Udemy is a good option if it's accessible in your country.
Good luck!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
234
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Muhammad,
I'm excited to know that you are a student of mechanical engineering.
Practical work gives us the opportunity to learn through experience - experiential learning is a critical aspect of human life.
You need to exploit all the available opportunities for internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, coaching etc.
The career office of your university could be a good place to start when looking for opportunities for industrial training. You can also apply directly to the companies you like to do your training in - they usually offer opportunities for such practical training.
I'm excited to know that you are a student of mechanical engineering.
Practical work gives us the opportunity to learn through experience - experiential learning is a critical aspect of human life.
You need to exploit all the available opportunities for internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, coaching etc.
The career office of your university could be a good place to start when looking for opportunities for industrial training. You can also apply directly to the companies you like to do your training in - they usually offer opportunities for such practical training.