Mechanical engineering is a field of engineering that deals with machines. It combines engineering, physics and mathematics. It is the oldest and broadest engineering branch and it is often regarded as the mother of all engineering branches.
Mechanical engineer is the name given to the person who specializes in mechanical engineering. The focus of mechanical engineers is on researching, designing and creating electronic and manual machines.
As with all practical courses, mechanical engineers in training need to undergo a period of internship where they gain practical, hands-on experience and apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. This internship usually occurs after the third year of study.
Why Do Mechanical Engineers Need internships?
- Internships provide a balance between theoretical learning and practical experience.
- Internships give students an opportunity to develop and utilize their skills in engineering.
- Internships also offer students an opportunity to build professional connections with colleagues they meet.
- Internships help students learn more about industry practices that they might have never heard of in school.
- Internships can help students secure future employment.
- Internships help students prepare for the time when they will work.
How To Prepare For A Mechanical Engineering Internship
It is one thing to know you need an internship and it is another thing to prepare for the internship. Here’s how a mechanical engineer can prepare for an internship:
Before The Internship
Apply for an internship position
Getting an internship can be challenging but if you prepare a good resume and present yourself in a professional manner, you have many chances to get yourself an internship.
How Do You Apply For Internships?
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Carry Out Research
Go online and research companies before you send out internship applications. Know who the company is, what their mission is, and find out their curriculum and the kind of job done there. Identify if their values align with yours and whether you would be able to fit in there.
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Send Out An Application
Once you have identified the company you want to do your internship at, send them an email describing who you are, how you would fit into the company, how passionate you are about the mission of the company, and how hard you would work as an intern there. Tell them what you have to offer as well. Sometimes, these companies send out advertisements about internship openings. You could look out for them and apply.
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Constantly Check For Feedback
After sending off your application, don’t just forget about it. Check for feedback. You could check back with the HR recruiter, check the newspapers, check the company’s website, and check your emails and text messages.
Do this regularly so you don’t miss any important updates about your internship.
During the internship
What do you do after you get the internship?
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Start Right
Come early on your first day of work. Companies have orientations for new interns, so be sure to attend the orientation, listen intently to every piece of information given and ask questions where you are not sure.
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Keep your belongings safe
You would likely be given internship badges and some equipment for your work, like a workstation, laptops, workshop passes, monitors, meal tickets and others. Make sure to keep them safe and use them properly.
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Make good first impressions
You would get to meet other interns and employees of the company. Try to get to know them and treat them courteously. Even though you might not work directly with some employees, you might need to consult them later on for one thing or another. You have to make a good impression with your new colleagues.
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Understand your roles and what is expected from you
Talk to your co-interns and colleagues to understand the scope of the job you are expected to do. If you are not clear, talk to the supervisor in charge. If there is a rule book or guide on responsibilities, make sure to read them thoroughly until you are fully aware of what is required of you and make sure you perform your roles right.
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Attend in-trainings when scheduled
No matter how much you think you know, always attend all training recommended by the head of the unit. Most of this training will help you become familiar with the environment and answer questions about many procedures you don’t know. You might even learn an easier and more relevant way to carry out a long theoretical procedure you learned in school.
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Work closely with the supervisor in charge
This will help you get quick feedback on what you are doing and ways to improve yourself. Maintain your independence but ensure you check in with the supervisor from time to time.
Another benefit of this is that the supervisor will be able to see your attitude toward work and how willing you are to improve and work together with the team. This could influence your future employment at that company or another company.
Ending the internship
All internships will come to an end someday and you must be prepared for the end of yours.
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Write your reports
You might be required to write a report about your period of internship, what you have learned, your experiences in the company and how you will apply your new skills. This report might be submitted to both your school and the company or just your school. Make sure to plan your report properly and begin early so you are not in a rush to finish.
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Talk to your supervisor about the possibility of employment
Before you leave the organization, you can speak to your supervisor about possible employment if you hope to work for the company in the future. Most companies directly recruit employees from those who have interned there and performed well. If you desire employment, your supervisor may be of help to you
Best internships for mechanical engineers
The best internships for mechanical engineers are those that provide practical hands-on experience and good mentorship opportunities. The following companies offer some of the best internships for mechanical engineers:
1. Intel Corporation
This is an American multinational technology company located in Silicon Valley, California. It offers internship opportunities for mechanical engineering students.
It is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of microprocessors and semiconductor chips for computer systems. Mechanical engineers who are passionate about communication and computing can apply here for an internship.
2. International Business Machine Corporation (IBM)
IBM is an American multinational technology corporation with headquarters in New York. It has branches in about 175 countries, offers a paid internship experience for mechanical engineers and accepts applications from students around the world. Mechanical engineers who are passionate about computer programming and building can apply.
3. Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a multinational aerospace and defense company. They specialize in the design of bombers, drones and defense equipment.
Northrop Grumman offers opportunities for mechanical engineers seeking summer internships. The internship is a paid one that runs between $22.75 and $35.75 per hour.
4. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
This is a federal-funded research and development center owned by NASA and managed by the California Institute of Technology (CalTach).
JPL handles the construction and operation of robotic spacecraft. JPL also offers an opportunity for a summer internship in a campus-like environment to mechanical engineering students. This will expose them to spacecraft and mission control systems.
5. Apple
Apple is a multinational technology company that specializes in the production of software, electronics, mobile devices and online services. It is the largest IT company in the world, whose most popular products are iPhones, iPads and iPods.
Apple offers internships for mechanical engineering students who are interested in manufacturing and product design. The internship is a paid one and very competitive.
6. Boeing
Boeing is a multinational aerospace company. It is the largest manufacturer of airplanes in the world. Boeing also offers summer internships to mechanical engineers through its Engineering Intern Program.
Students who are interested in structural design and analysis, manufacturing, lion, payload, toolings and product support are invited to apply for internship positions. It offers a paid internship position that pays about $44,000 a year.
7. SpaceX
SpaceX is an American company that deals with spacecraft manufacture, providing launch services and satellite communication. It was founded by Elon Musk in 2002 with the aim of reducing space transportation costs as well as colonizing Mars.
SpaceX offers summer internships for mechanical engineering students who have a passion for avionics, launch engineering, starship engineering, propulsion, test operations and vehicle engineering, as these are some of the teams available at SpaceX.
Internships are a must if a mechanical engineer wants to be well-rounded in his/her field of study and they are also a requirement for graduation. Every mechanical engineering student needs to avail himself/herself of this opportunity to experience hands-on training and embrace the practicality of their chosen profession.
Opportunities abound in different companies and across different sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering, of which the student is allowed to make a choice.
This article has highlighted the seven best internship opportunities for mechanical engineers and some tips to help them on their internship journey.
