Information for Students
Welcome Students!
Building stronger college to career connections, the SDSU College of Engineering's CSSE is dedicated to helping engineering students prepare to be successful in the workforce. The CSSE provides a variety of services and resources to help students plan, develop skills, and guide students throughout their internship and career research.
All Career & Internship learning and development workshops and resources are developed and tailored to incorporate one or more NACE (National Association Colleges and Employers) competentices to help strengthen College of Engineering student's career readiness. NACE defines career preparedness skills as eight competencies (benchmarks) to prepare students for a successful transition into the industry after graduation.
Be prepared, career planning is an important segment of your college years. There is a Four-Year Career Plan that begins your freshman year when you determine what career and/or major you will pursue. Attend College of Engineering Career and Internship Workshops, Employer Information Sessions, and the Annual Engineering Panel Event Series to learn more, gain resource materials, insight, and expand your professional network.
Throughout your Freshman and Sophomore years you will dive deper into self-assessment and exploration. Junior and Senior years are when you focus on career direction confirmation. When you have completed some upper division coursework, you can look into gaining relevant experience in your field of interest, whether through internships, part time or fulltime employment in entry level roles, and with academic projects.
J-1 Exchange Students | Employment in the U.S.
A J-1 international student interested to find employment on-campus or employment/internships off-campus, before beginning any opportunity, you must receive authorization from the SDSU International Student Center (ISC). There are required steps J-1 international students must follow before working on-campus or off-campus. Failure to follow and receive authorization from the ISC has serious consequences that could result in the loss of your student visa. For more information on how to stay within compliance of J-1 international student employment policies and laws, go to the SDSU International Student Center (ISC).
Begin Planning Your Year
Go to Pg. 12 in the Launch Your Career Guidebook, published by SDSU Career Services.
Learn More about Your Four-Year Career Plan
Register on Handshake
All students should register on Handshake, Career Services' recruiting platform for SDSU students and alumni. Handshake connects students with employers, internsips, and on-campus recruiting opportunities. To be able to attend the campus career fairs, a student must be registered on Handshake.
COMING SOON - Meet with the Career Readiness Coordinator
The College of Engineering's Internship and Industry Relations Specialist provides strategies in Career Readiness Success:
- How to research internships and career opportunities
- How to develop a compelling resume and LinkedIn Profile.
- Host professional development workshops. The latest, AI in the Workplace.
- College to Career Connections - Connect students to industry. Partner with employers with hosting information and recruiting events.
- Partner with SDSU Career Services - Bring Career Services' events to you.
Current students can stay up to date by logging into the College of Engineering Homeroom in Canvas. During the interim, for resume and cover letter review, visit the SDSU Career Services. Check back here for the Career Readiness Coordinator's contact information.
Career Readiness Resources
EVENTS
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SDSU STEM Career Fair | Sept. 11 2025 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
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Pearl Harbor Shipyard Employer Info Session | Sept. 11 2025 | 3-4 pm | College of Engineering Dean's Conference Room E203e
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College of Engineering Open House | Sept. 16 2025 | 10 am - 2 pm | Meet Employers and Major Advisors | Outside the Engineering Building | Qualcomm, Collins Aerospace, and U.S. Navy Officer Program
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Job Interview Strategies Workshop | Sept. 23 2025 | 1-2 pm | College of Engineering Dean's Conference Room E203e
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Want to go to Grad School? SDSU's Graduate School Fair | Oct. 2 2025 | Montezuma Hall
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Fall Career and Internship Fair | Oct. 16 2025 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
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Part-Time and Seasonal Job Fair | Nov. 6 2025 | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
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SDSU STEM Career and Internship Fair | Feb. 5 2026 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Hanshake | Montezuma Hall
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Spring Career and Internship Fair | Feb. 27 2026 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
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Just in Time Career Fair | April 9 2026 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
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Summer Career Fair | May 28 2026 | 10 am - 2 pm | Register in Handshake | Montezuma Hall
Career & Internship Preparedness Basics
Career Prep Tips
An Overview of Internships
Internships are supervised career-related learning opportunities that offer students the chance to develop hands-on experience in an industry or field. Many organizations sponsor formal internships and make them available through on-campus departments and SDSU Career Services.
Internships vary according to tasks, work time, and compensation. Standard internships usually require 10-15 hours weekly during the semester, and up to 40 hours per week in summer. Compensation possibilities can include hourly pay, class credit, or a stipend.
- Experience a career before graduating.
- Demonstrate experience that will attract future employers.
- Apply academic knowledge to a work setting.
- Practice your communication and teamwork skills.
- Meet new people and practice networking.
- Obtain potential work-related references.
- Investigate potential employer's organizations.
- Develop self-confidence, time management, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
- Review Career Services Handshake online listings
- Speak with the academic Internship Coordinator in your major.
- Network with friends, family, and professors.
- Attend internship and career fairs.
- Visit company websites that interest you.
- Propose your own internship to an employer.
- College of Engineering Canvas Homepage
- Employer Websites
- SDSU Career Services' Career and Internship Fairs
- Professional Association Networking Events
- Search the Internet (visit websites listed below).
Companies and academic departments will require various materials to apply for an internship; these could include a resume and cover letter, formal application, references, transcripts, essay, and/or an interview. Respond to an internship announcement according to the directions. Prepare a resume and cover letter that address the employer's needs for the internship. Be sure to comment on how you could contribute to their organization.
A few days after you have sent your materials, contact the organization to follow up. Be ready to discuss the following: your interest in the internship, your availability to interview, your availability to start the internship, and your knowledge of the organization.
What if problems arise with your internship? Talk with your supervisor or departmental internship coordinator to see if the situation can be modified. Internships should benefit you and the employer.
SDSU Career Services Handshake
- Login on to Handshake to search for internships (Use your SDSU email).
- Micro-internships are short-term, paid, typically-remote, professional projects.
- Contact the Internship Coordinator in your major for eligibility & requirements.
General Internship Programs
Federal Internships
Non-Profit Internships
International Internships
Internship Associations with Scholarships
- General Atomics | Early Careers
- US internships for students & graduates | ASML careers
- University and Campus Programs | Collins Aerospace
- Internships | Careers at Sony
- Students & Graduates | HPE
- Commercial Special Electrical Projects San Diego | Baker Electric
- We are Hiring | Careers at Helix Electric | Full-Time, Apprenticeships
- Design Build & Industrial Construction | Dynalectric San Diego
- Careers | Morrow Meadows
- SDG&E Engineering Associate Rotation Program & Internship Program | San Diego Gas & Electric
- Civil Engineering, Design, & Planning Jobs | Rick Engineering Careers
- https://www.qualcomm.com/company/careers/internships-and-early-in-career-opportunities
Computer Engineering
- Embeded Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Software Architect
- SOC/Computer Architect, Cloud/AI Data Center
- Computer Engineer or Cleared Software Engineer
Aerospace Engineering
- Flight Test Engineer
- Project Engineer - Prototype Aircraft and Special Projects
- Aerospace Engineer
- Quality Engineer (Aerospace)
- Propulsion Test Engineer
Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer
- Failure Analysis Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Quality or Reliability Engineer
Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Engineer or R&D Electrical Engineer
- Quality or Reliability Engineer
- Failure Analysis Engineer
- Photonics Engineer
- Electrical Civil Construction Engineer
Civil, Construction or Environmental Engineering
- Project Engineer (E.g., Water Treatment Facilities)
- Project Manager
- Solar Design Engineer
- Assistant Superintendent
- Field Engineer
New College Graduates
SDSU Career Services provides continued resources to alumni that support career development and success. For information, visit Career.SDSU.edu/Alumni for information.