Engineering Internships and Vacation Programs

Engineering Internships and Vacation Programs

For engineering students, even more than for students of other disciplines, industry experience is highly important. It is essential to the very completion of the Bachelor of Engineering and has a direct effect on the likelihood of future job prospects.

In order to satisfy the degree requirements of the Bachelor of Engineering, students need to complete 60-80 days of practical work experience before they graduate. This can be completed in several different ways – either as a series of shorter internships or as a single vacation placement. Some universities (such as RMIT) will assist students with finding placements through their industry training programs. Most universities however will expect the student to seek out opportunities on their own.

Both shorter internships and vacation programs will give the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skilled learned in university to real world engineering problems, and will provide them with a glimpse into the life and corporate interactions of the engineering profession. Vacation programs differ from other internships in that they are longer (around twelve weeks in duration); usually take place in the summer (between November and March); are more structured and involve a more challenging, higher quality learning experience. While ordinary internships (like those offered by small to medium companies) tend to involve a high proportion of menial or administrative work (e.g. fetching coffee, photocopying), vacation programs involve the intern in meaningful projects, often getting them to work as part of a team of employees and mentors. In addition, vacation work tends to be better compensated than other forms of internships, since the company wants to attract the student to consider them a future employer after graduation.Social events and possible travel opportunities are also more common in a vacation program. The latter is especially likely if the employer is a large mining corporation operating in a rural part of Western Australia or Queensland, since they may require interns to “fly-in” to their work sites. Some mining interns have reported pay rates of $25-40 an hour, as well as allowances for food, travel and accommodation.

Only very large companies can afford to offer summer vacation programs – in the engineering sector these include major mining companies, construction companies, petroleum companies and energy providers. Smaller, more specialised engineering companies, consultancies and research facilities might not advertise vacation programs, but may consider offering an enthusiastic student an internship.

For more information on the differences between internships and vacation programs, and for tips on how to successfully apply to these programs, check out our general internships and vacation programs guide.

More information about graduate programs in engineering can be found here.