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How can I get Vacation work opportunities for an Electrical Engineering Student in Johannesburg?
I’m a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of the Witwatersrand, and as part of my graduation requirements I need to complete 29 days of vacation work.
I’ve already applied to the advertised opportunities and company websites I could find, but I’m struggling to secure a placement. I’m also on LinkedIn, but I’m unsure about the best way to approach people there — who to contact, how to ask professionally, and whether networking directly is appropriate.
If anyone has advice, recommendations, or knows of companies still accepting vacation work students, I would really appreciate the help.
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4 answers
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Make sure you meet the requirements and maintain good academic performance, as selection is competitive. Often, the challenge is not just your qualifications but how you present yourself. Your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile should clearly show your goals, motivation, curiosity, skills, readiness, personal projects, teamwork, and how you can add value to a company. If you need help, I can assist you in polishing your resume and application, boosting your visibility to recruiters, preparing for interviews, and improving your overall strategy to increase your chances of getting vacation work.
Focus on companies like Eskom, Transnet, Anglo American, and Sibanye-Stillwater, which offer great learning experiences in power systems, rail electrification, automation, and maintenance. Apply to many places, connect with industry professionals, and use referrals, as these can be very effective. Most importantly, stay confident, trust your journey, and keep moving forward without losing hope.
Focus on companies like Eskom, Transnet, Anglo American, and Sibanye-Stillwater, which offer great learning experiences in power systems, rail electrification, automation, and maintenance. Apply to many places, connect with industry professionals, and use referrals, as these can be very effective. Most importantly, stay confident, trust your journey, and keep moving forward without losing hope.
Thank you!
Tlhompo
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Tlhompo,
It's great to see that you are actively searching for vacation work to complete your studies.
A few companies to try:
Siemens:
https://youthfeed.co.za/siemens-fit4rail-vacation-program-2026/
https://careerspursuit.com/job/siemens-engineering-vacation-program-9-weeks/
Hensoldt:
https://jobs.hensoldt.net/job/Cape-Town-Vacation-Work-Electronic-Engineering/1351371955/
https://www.hensoldt.net/career/students
Sasol:
https://www.sasolbursaries.com/welcome/vacation-work-application/
BMW:
https://www.bmwgroup.jobs/za/en/opportunities/student.html?country=ZA&jobType=INTERNSHIP,COOPERATIVE,SUMMER_JOB
Other ideas:
Talk to people in your department. They might have ideas and industry contacts that you would otherwise miss.
If you are not yet active in any professional societies and their student chapters, now would be a good time to check out what they have to offer in terms of training and career development.
I would also look at Postgraduate/Trainee Programs for electrical engineers and get into contact with the Program Director/Hiring Manager. Express interest in the Graduate/Trainee Program as a soon-to-be graduate and find out if you could do vacation work with the company prior to graduation.
You can use Indeed, LinkedIn or SimplyHired to search for vacation work and filter for your location. You should get paid for vac work. It won't be a lot but you might be able to cover travel expenses or cheap accommodation. It is ok reach out professionally to people on LinkedIn. You can find employees at companies where you might be interested to work and ask for informational interviews. You can also find hiring managers/program managers. Follow the companies, follow the HR people. Establish contacts, stay informed and ask questions.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.saiee.org.za/
https://www.ieee.org.za/
https://ensun.io/search/electrical-engineering/south-africa
It's great to see that you are actively searching for vacation work to complete your studies.
A few companies to try:
Siemens:
https://youthfeed.co.za/siemens-fit4rail-vacation-program-2026/
https://careerspursuit.com/job/siemens-engineering-vacation-program-9-weeks/
Hensoldt:
https://jobs.hensoldt.net/job/Cape-Town-Vacation-Work-Electronic-Engineering/1351371955/
https://www.hensoldt.net/career/students
Sasol:
https://www.sasolbursaries.com/welcome/vacation-work-application/
BMW:
https://www.bmwgroup.jobs/za/en/opportunities/student.html?country=ZA&jobType=INTERNSHIP,COOPERATIVE,SUMMER_JOB
Other ideas:
Talk to people in your department. They might have ideas and industry contacts that you would otherwise miss.
If you are not yet active in any professional societies and their student chapters, now would be a good time to check out what they have to offer in terms of training and career development.
I would also look at Postgraduate/Trainee Programs for electrical engineers and get into contact with the Program Director/Hiring Manager. Express interest in the Graduate/Trainee Program as a soon-to-be graduate and find out if you could do vacation work with the company prior to graduation.
You can use Indeed, LinkedIn or SimplyHired to search for vacation work and filter for your location. You should get paid for vac work. It won't be a lot but you might be able to cover travel expenses or cheap accommodation. It is ok reach out professionally to people on LinkedIn. You can find employees at companies where you might be interested to work and ask for informational interviews. You can also find hiring managers/program managers. Follow the companies, follow the HR people. Establish contacts, stay informed and ask questions.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Tlompo,
Thank you very for the query.
Internships are excellent opportunities for you to pickup practical knowledge and critical skills through experience.
From my experience, South Africa's beverage industry offers excellent opportunities for students seeking to undertake industrial training, especially SAB. Slots are competitive. So you need to be ready for interviews. Your aspirations and the scope of what you intent to learn shows your level of interest and commitment: control and automation, industrial software engineering are excellent opportunities for electrical engineers in modern industry. The telecommunications sector is another area you may interest yourself in. They may have preference for telecommunications engineering background though. You loose nothing by trying. Being able to prove yourself counts. An open mind is important too. Opportunities you come across can take you into areas you may have never envisioned, in the long run.
Applying directly can be helpful. Besides, you can spare time to visit their HR and L&D offices in person.
Best of luck in your studies.
Thank you very for the query.
Internships are excellent opportunities for you to pickup practical knowledge and critical skills through experience.
From my experience, South Africa's beverage industry offers excellent opportunities for students seeking to undertake industrial training, especially SAB. Slots are competitive. So you need to be ready for interviews. Your aspirations and the scope of what you intent to learn shows your level of interest and commitment: control and automation, industrial software engineering are excellent opportunities for electrical engineers in modern industry. The telecommunications sector is another area you may interest yourself in. They may have preference for telecommunications engineering background though. You loose nothing by trying. Being able to prove yourself counts. An open mind is important too. Opportunities you come across can take you into areas you may have never envisioned, in the long run.
Applying directly can be helpful. Besides, you can spare time to visit their HR and L&D offices in person.
Best of luck in your studies.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Tlhompo
Updated
Lin Yu’s Answer
I understand how frustrating it can be to search for vacation work placements, especially when applications aren’t getting responses. It’s great that you’re proactive and already using LinkedIn and company websites.
Here are some steps that might help:
Target smaller or less-advertised companies — sometimes smaller engineering firms take vacation students without posting online.
LinkedIn approach — connect with HR staff or engineers at companies, and send a short, polite message:
‘Hi [Name], I’m a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student at [University]. I’m seeking vacation work and would love any advice or opportunities you might know about.’
Check your university career services — they may have partnerships with companies that aren’t advertising online.
Reach out to alumni from your department — many are happy to help students find placements.
Professional associations — IEEE South Africa or local engineering groups sometimes post opportunities directly to members.
Here are some steps that might help:
Target smaller or less-advertised companies — sometimes smaller engineering firms take vacation students without posting online.
LinkedIn approach — connect with HR staff or engineers at companies, and send a short, polite message:
‘Hi [Name], I’m a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student at [University]. I’m seeking vacation work and would love any advice or opportunities you might know about.’
Check your university career services — they may have partnerships with companies that aren’t advertising online.
Reach out to alumni from your department — many are happy to help students find placements.
Professional associations — IEEE South Africa or local engineering groups sometimes post opportunities directly to members.