OPD&I Students
Where to start
To apply to any position, whether thats a part-time summer job, an internship or co-op, or a full-time entry position in engineering, you need a resume. Ensuring your resume is industry ready is step number 1!
An effective resume not only showcases your skillset but also helps you stand out. Focusing on your achievements and contributions in addition to your job tasks is what makes your experiences unique and memorable. (Quick Tip: Using the APR approach is highly effective in making your skills stand out Action + Project / Problem + Result (APR)). There are a variety of resources available across campus where you can learn tips like APR to ensure your resume is industry ready! Heres a short list:
The Career Development Center website hosts sample resumes tailored for COE students. This is a very helpful resource to assist you when developing your own resume. You can find them here: /career-development-center/students/resumes-cover-letters
This AI tool can assist you with tailoring your resume to highlight key experiences and skills recruiters need to see. It assists with ATS Optimization and job description matching and provides actionable feedback and is completely free for 做厙弝けstudents! You can access Jobscan through .
Throughout the regular semester, OPD&I hosts a variety of resume and cover letter workshops. Some are conducted by industry professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers while others are conducted by the Professional Development & Internships Specialist! Keep an eye on your 做厙弝けemail for upcoming workshops!
This engineering resume checklist, created by the University of Illinois Chicago, is a great resource for ensuring your resume format aligns with industry standards:
If you are just starting out and do not have a resume, email the Office of Professional Development & Internships Specialist, Marina Crawford for tips and a resume template!
How to search for internships
Keep in mind that many engineering companies recruit in the Fall for the upcoming Summer, and the application process can take time. To stay on track, keep these three tips in mind:
- Cast a wide net - Apply to multiple positions, explore different industries, and consider roles that may not "perfectly" match your background. The more opportunities you pursue, the better your chances.
- Set aside time and stay consistent - Dedicate regular time each week to searching and applying for positions to avoid last-minute stress.
- Stay organized and follow up - Track your applications, deadlines, and contacts, and follow up professionally when appropriate.
Update your profile in and add your resume! Not only can you search for internships, on-campus and full-time employment, but industry reps can also invite students whose resumes / profiles align with their job postings to on-campus interviews!
Gain hands-on virtual work experience from top global companies, right from your laptop in .
is a career and networking platform designed for international students and valuable for anyone seeking global opportunities. Access international-friendly jobs and internships, employer H-1B records, career and immigration resources, and networking tools to help you succeed wherever your career takes you.
LinkedIn Jobs (requires a account for access). Once logged in, click on the Jobs icon.
Networking and professional development increase your opportunities to land an internship or entry-level position! OD&I and the Career Development Center host industry events, information sessions, workshops, and job fairs throughout the academic year. Students are notified of these events through their 做厙弝けemail addresses as well as here.
Did you know that the College of Engineering has its own Job & Internship Feed that lists open internship and entry-level positions? You can access it .
Do not forget that the (CDC) also has internship opportunities and regularly scheduled interview days where major companies visit campus to interview for internships and post-graduation jobs. For information visit the or go in person to the CDC in Brotman Hall 250. The CDC is also a great resource to find help with cover letter and resume construction, as well as interview tips
- Research the Careers page of companies that you are interested in.
- Network with people that you know or meet!
- Utilize Google - Searching on Google will help you find open positions, but be sure to apply through the company's website and not on 3rd party platforms.
A recent National Association of College and Employers (NACE) survey shows that 73% of employers offer employment to interns!
We really want to know all about it! Our office works very diligently to document all internships so please help 做厙弝けCOE OPD&I and GO BEACH!
Our engineering students have interned with top companies across multiple industries, gaining real-world experience and professional skills at organizations such as:
- Amazon
- American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- American Tenet
- Ampure
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Applied Composites
- Applied Medical
- Avibank Manufacturing
- The Aerospace Corporation
- Armstrong Flight Research Center (NASA)
- Bose Corporation
- Bragg Companies
- Bryant Rubber
- CenturyLink
- Chevron
- City of Carson
- City of Los Angeles Dept. of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- Czinger Vehicles
- Divergent 3D
- Edwards Lifesciences
- Elevate Aircraft Seating
- Exodus Aerospace
- FlightWave Aerospace
- Fluxspeed
- FoodPharma
- Frontier Technology Inc.
- G2 Software Systems
- General Atomics
- GKN Aerospace
- Granite Construction
- Green Dart
- Home and Body Co.
- HRL Laboratories
- Hyundai Motor Company
- Impulse Space
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- JetZero
- L3 Harris
- LADWP
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- 做厙弝け YMCA (LBYMCA)
- LISI Aerospace
- 做厙弝け Unified School District
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation
- Marvin Test Solutions
- Medtronic
- Metropolitan Water District
- Millennium Space Systems
- Moog Inc.
- Morikawa & Associates LLC
- NASA
- NIWC Pacific
- Nectar Product Development
- Newport Brass
- Northrop Grumman
- NuSpace
- OC Animal Care
- Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
- Pacific West Builders
- PC Engineering
- Phillips 66
- Pittman Engineering
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of 做厙弝け
- Precision Tube Bending
- RaceTec Pistons
- Relativity Space
- Rivian Automotive
- RTX
- Safran
- Saratech
- Shimmick Construction
- Sierra Pacific Engineering and Products
- Space Kinetic
- SpaceX
- Southern California Edison
- Southland Industries
- Stellant Systems Inc.
- Summit Interconnect
- Tesla
- The Boeing Company
- Tower Semiconductor
- UPS
- Venmo
- Veolia Water Technologies
- Water Replenishment District
- WE O'Neil Construction
- West Coast Insulated Glass Products
- Whiting-Turner Construction
- Walt Disney Company
- And more...
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask more Questions and move your career forward. Mail your questions if not found here to coe-internships@csulb.edu
No. Internships are strongly encouraged but not required for graduation in most engineering programs.
However, internships greatly improve your chances of getting a full-time job after graduation and provide hands-on experience that complements coursework. (Please check with your department on internship graduation requirements)
Yes, but first-year internships can be competitive.
Most freshmen start with:
- On-campus jobs
- Research assistant roles
- Personal projects
- Engineering clubs / competitions
- Summer programs
These experiences make you a stronger candidate for sophomore/junior internships.
Start with the basics:
- Create or update your resume
- Build a LinkedIn and CareerLink profile
- Join at least one engineering club
- Meet with the Career Center for assistance
- Attend career fairs and employer info sessions
- Apply early and apply often
You can highlight:
- Class projects / club work
- Volunteer or community engineering projects
- Personal programming or design projects
- Research projects / Hackathons
Recruiters value skills, not just job titles.
Check with your department advisor.
Start building them through:
- Class projects / club work
- Intro programming courses (MATLAB, Python, C+)
- CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
- Circuit basics (EE)
- Small personal projects
- Tutorials on YouTube, Coursera, or free online resources
Freshmen are not expected to know everything, progress matters.
Apply all year around but most engineering internships recruit:
- Fall (September-November): Summer internships
- Spring (January-March): Additional summer roles
Apply early, many companies fill roles months in advance.
Yes. International students may apply for:
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training) for internships
- OPT after graduation
Always check with International Student Services for approval before starting any work.
Most engineering internships, especially in large companies are paid.
Small firms or research roles may be unpaid but can still offer valuable experience.
