How to get an engineering internship at a defense contracting company

by: koloa on October 17 2009

This brief write up offers a few tips for computer science, electrical engineers, computer engineers, mathematics, and IT majors to find summer internships at defense contracting companies like lockheed martin, raytheon, boeing, csc, northrop grunman, etc… Hope you girls/guys find this post useful.

1. first step is be sure your GPA is 3.0 or greater

Most employers consider GPA an important factor when hiring a student for an internship. A 3.0 or above shows that a student take his/her classes seriously and most likely can apply that knowledge to the company.

If your GPS is not competitive, there is still hope. Employers also consider other factors such as if you work full time, or take much more classes than the typical student.

2. Attend your college career day

often during the spring and fall semester, your college typically hosts career day. be sure to attend! wear a suit and carry copies of your resume in a nice professional looking folder. Presentation and first appearance is key in impressing managers and company representatives.

3. Check the companies website

Almost all engineering companies have a career section on their website. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop, all have a career section where they advertise internship positions. Apply early!

4. How much do companies pay for a software or electrical engineering internship?

from experience from myself and friends, typical engineering internship positions pay anywhere from 14-18 dollars per hour. in addition to, companies sometimes setup discount housing for the summer interns.

5. What type of work should I expect?

Well depending on the internship type, software engineering interns typically work on either experimental programs or help out senior and mid level engineers with programming. dont expect much exciting work. the first few weeks of an intern position, you may be reading large amounts of documentation to help you understand what the software program/business model is about. afterwards, a senior engineer may assign you a small area of code that you may be responsible for to maintain or debug.

6. Dont be intimadated!

in the professional corporate setting there is no use for being shy. being shy and letting others intimidate you will only work against you. the squeaky will gets the grease. if you want to succeed and make a position reputation, you need to do it yourself! therefore, if you have questions ASK. if you feel someone is treating you unfair, tell them you would rather them not bother you. if they dont listen, bring the issue to your manager. if there is a project that sounds interesting, go talk to the lead and offer your service!

7. Interview process

The interview process for an internship is quite simple. you show up dressed in a suit with a copies of your resume in a nice professional looking folder. be sure to talk about your programming projects and coursework. look the interviewer in the eyes! show confidence. confidence shows that you are a ‘go getter’