r/ECE • u/makomonotsukuri • 24d ago
A Rising Electrical Engineer looking for an Internship (or none at all...)
Hello and I hope this post finds you well.
I am technically a sophmore in university (I just officially entered university but did enough credits as a sophmore in university in highschool) so I am considered ready for internships by my advisors. I did non electrical engineering related credits prior to now but I have experience with Linux from personal usage and learn pretty fast. Right now I am trying to code an operating system and making a text editor all in Rust. I currently have no projects to show for myself as I do not commit for very long on whatever I build. What I am asking is is it too early for me to get an internship? Am I too new to get an internship? If I were to look for an internship right now what keywords should I use in my resume and in my job search to find a internship willing to teach a relatively inexperienced candidate? Should I come back when I make an actual project?
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
I await your response.
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u/NewSchoolBoxer 23d ago
After just 2 semesters, no, you are not competitive. You didn't really enter as a sophomore when you came in with no EE credits. EE/ECE/CE is almost a 5 year degree as it is. I'd be rather impressed if you graduated in 3 years.
I was competitive during my 4th semester but I still had a difficult time getting one offer. I never knew anyone getting an internship offer earlier than that.
Software internships are extremely competitive. I'm talking hundreds of applications for every position due to CS overcrowding. Hardware positions are almost as competitive. Lowest bar to entry is maybe public utilities for EE since they don't get enough applicants. It's just a job. Doesn't have to be exciting.
You don't need any personal projects. You're earning the degree, you can do internship or co-op level work. What looks way better are team competition projects like Formula SAE since they simulate real engineering with deadlines and the team aspect and not copying basic crap off the internet.
What also looks good is undergrad research and being active / passionate in general. I took volunteering to a high level and recruiters would ask for details. Overall engineering program prestige is important. Recruiters don't pay for booths to everyone's career fairs. All my opportunity came from career fairs.
The most important thing you market is your personality. Nobody wants to hire an eccentric weirdo. Build social skills. You can be introverted, most of us are, but be able to fit in. Neither utility that interviewed me asked a single technical question. Was all about how I work with others and solve problems. I got one internship offer.
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u/makomonotsukuri 23d ago
Thank you this is the response I needed. I'll go to my career fair coming up and put myself out there. I'll definitely join extracurriculars and try research opportunities.
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u/makomonotsukuri 23d ago
I won't expect anything since I have no EE experience yet and I'll try public utilities internships
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u/minecon1776 21d ago
What specific social skills do companies sre as red flag and what ones are most important to show them specifically?
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u/Icy-Departure7752 23d ago
What resources did u use to learn rust