Internships
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for, and obtain an internship. As with Co-ops, internships provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field; the difference is that students generally complete internships during the summer. Some students have the opportunity to take advantage of part-time internships during the school year. This option is only available if a local company has a need and the student has ten to twenty hours a week free in their schedule.

Students are introduced to the program during their first year and can intern as early as the summer following their sophomore year. However, a small percent of students that do find an internship following their first year.

Participation Requirements
To intern, students are required to be in good academic standing. The College’s Career Services office does not “place” students in internships. They do, however, offer a wide variety of initiatives that connect students to opportunities and they work with students to develop a customized plan for success.

Co-ops
The College’s Co-operative Education option provides undergraduate students with an exciting opportunity to not only graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in hand, but to also leave campus with a semester or two of paid work experience. This is accomplished through taking a semester off from school during the fall or spring (academic advising is essential).

Students are introduced to the program during their first year, and can opt to co-op as early as their sophomore year. Students typically work in the field each summer in addition to the semester(s) they choose to Co-op.

Participation Requirements
The Co-op Program is optional and open to all students in good academic standing. To participate, a student must:

• Obtain approval to miss an academic semester from their parents or guardian
• Consult with their academic advisor
• Consult with a financial aid officer where applicable
• Contact housing and make necessary arrangements for their absence from campus
• Register for ECS 370. This is a zero credit free course that maintains the student’s full time student status in the university system while they are absent from campus

Freshmen
A small percent of students obtain summer internships following their first year. For the majority of freshmen it is important for them to gain as much insight into their chosen field as possible. To prepare, freshmen should:

• Attend employer information/networking sessions
• Attend a career fair to begin to build your network
• Attend a College career workshop during the Spring semester and craft a resume
• Participate in a job shadow opportunity
• Investigate possibilities of an internship through friends and relatives
• Sign up for an industry tour
• Notify the College Career Services office when you obtain an internship or research experience

Sophomore
It is highly recommended that students seek an internship during the summer following their second year. Two summers of engineering internships will well position students to competitively enter the job market during their senior year. In fact, it is common practice for employers to convert their third year interns to full time employees. To prepare, sophomores should:

• Attend a career workshop and craft a resume
• Attend career fairs
• Attend employer information/networking sessions
• Investigate possibilities of an internship through friends and relatives
• Seek opportunities to work in labs on campus for researched based majors
• Seek advice from the College’s Career Services office
• Maintain a close relationship with the College’s Career Services office
• Notify the College’s Career Services office when you obtain an internship or research experience
• Before you leave your summer internship express interest in returning the following summer with your employer

Juniors
It is common practice for employers to convert their third year interns to full time hires. Therefore, by junior year, students should be well prepared to either return to a previous summer internship or utilize every option available to obtain a new one. To prepare, juniors should:

• Update your resume
• Attend career fairs
• Attend employer information/networking sessions
• Investigate possibilities of an internship through friends and relatives
• Seek advice from the College’s Career Services office
• Be diligent and flexible about seeking an opportunity
• Notify the College’s Career Services office when you obtain an internship or research experience
• Before you leave your summer internship express interest and apply for openings with your employer

Seniors
Students who have actively sought and obtained internships and research opportunities are well positioned to competitively seek consideration for a full time position. To reach this goal, seniors should:

• Before you leave your summer internship the prior summer, express interest and apply for openings with your employer
• Update your resume
• Attend career fairs
• Attend employer information/networking sessions
• Investigate possibilities of an internship through friends and relatives
• Seek advice from the College’s Career Services office
• Be diligent and flexible about seeking an opportunity
• APPLY, APPLY, APPLY…
• Notify the College’s Career Services when you obtain an internship or research experience

Career Preparation
Beginning in September, when students arrive on campus each year, the College’s Career Services Office conducts various events that are targeted toward preparing students for career week activities and beyond. We encourage every student to visit the College’s Career Service Office and make a connection with staff for assistance. Below are the primary events that students can participate in to prepare themselves for a successful career outcome.

Visit Handshake for the most up-to-date list of upcoming opportunities.

Workshops
The workshops focus on, but are not limited to:

• Resume preparation
• Interview preparation
• How to prepare for the career fair
• Job search strategies
• Social media presence, such as LinkedIn

One-on-One Meetings
Students should use Handshake to sign up for a career advising appointment with their assigned Career Advisor.

Drop-In Hours
Drop-In hours are another avenue where students can obtain career advice. A drop-in appointment is typically a 30-minute session. Drop-in hours are posted on the door of 121 Link Hall. Emails will go out as career fairs approach with expanded hours.

Mock Interviews
Mock interviews are an ideal way to work out the nervous kinks that are common during interviews. Each semester employers sign up to assist our students by conducting mock interviews. The mock interviews consist of a 20-minute “formal” interview and a 10-minute feedback session.

Emails will go out to students when there are opportunities. They can also be seen in Handshake.

Job Shadow 
During the winter school break, the College alumni sign up to host a current student who lives in the same location as the alumnus. Job shadowing is a wonderful opportunity to connect with someone in the field who is willing to share professional career advice.

Industry Tours
The College offers all expenses paid visits to engineering and computer science firms. Students must be in good standing to participate as the tours usually require a full day commitment. Many of these tours are organized in partnership with professors or student organizations. Open slots will be visible in Handshake.

Career Fairs
Each semester, the College’s Career Services office offers engineering specific career fairs during what is called “Career Week”. In addition to the career fairs, during career week, a number of events focused on connecting students with potential employers are held in the College. In an effort to hire students for internships, co-op, and full-time openings, many employers take full advantage of participating in career week events such as lobby tabling, info sessions, and conducting interviews.
Keep up to date on all of these events by checking Handshake often.

Career Fair Guidelines
Visit Resources under the Career Centers tab when logged into Handshake for a career fair guide.

Careers by Simplicity App

• For iPhone
• For Android

Resumes Samples

• Freshman/Sophomore (non CS, CE, EE)
• Freshman/Sophomore (CS, CE, EE)
• Junior/Senior (non CS, CE, EE)
• Junior/Senior (CS, CE, EE)

Cover Letter Samples

Interviews Tips

LinkedIn 

• Online Job Hunting Tips
• Networking
• Profile
• Employer Search

Job Search

• Glassdoor
• Vault
• Nacelink
• Going Global

Useful Resources by Major

• Aerospace/Mechanical
• Biomedical/Chemical
• Civil/Environmental
• Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Information Science