Helloo and welcome back!
As we hit the last half of semester 2, Part II engineering probably feels closer than ever. And while I have, and I’m sure you have too, been busy with all the assignments, group projects and tests that seem to take up every spare time during the semester, there’s also this other thing that suddenly becomes the main topic of conversations in Part II. Internships.
Internships can feel like a constant weight of stress hanging over you, and in the second year, that pressure becomes so much more real. Everyone talks about them, but it can be hard to know when and where to start, or how to approach the whole thing. Although I am definitely far from an expert in this, I want to share some of the advice I have learnt from others, and what I’ve picked up myself along the way, to help you when you eventually start internship hunting.
When to start applying?
According to the UoA practical work page, generally students use the two summers at the end of Part II and Part III to complete the whole 800 hours.
The application process varies depending on the company, but I’ve noticed that most civil engineering internships open around the inter-semester break. That said, it is still a good idea to keep an eye out earlier, as some companies may start hiring well in advance.
The most important thing to remember is to apply early! Employers often review applications long before the closing date, and if you stand out, you could be shortlisted and even invited to an early interview!
I don’t know what companies there are to apply to?
Two good resources I used are:
- The University’s list of past employers– This is a very comprehensive list and can be helpful to use as a checklist for any companies you’re interested in. Even if they don’t have any internship advertisements up, sending an email expressing your interest can (potentially) land you an internship. Practical Work Companies
- CESA (Civil/Struct engineering student association) also releases their own list of companies. This list is also good to use, as it has additional information such as when applications open and when they close.
I also recommend making your own spreadsheet or system to keep track of applications. I used Notion for this, and it is super helpful, especially after you apply to 20+ companies, as it’s so easy to lose track.
Is there anything I can do now to increase my chances?
Yes! Even if you don’t have much “engineering” experience, other experiences you might have are still extremely valuable. Some things that you can do now are:
- Get your damn driver’s license. I mean it- don’t put it off like me. This comes up more frequently than you think for applications, and some places even require you to have one!
- Create a LinkedIn Account. Although I am currently the opposite of a LinkedIn maxxer, creating an account is still important to let your employer know you’re a real person. Also, make sure to add this to your CV too.
- Volunteering: This is a great way to build soft skills, gain experience and also give you talking points in interviews. If you are not sure where to find these, the Volunteering Club is a good way to let you in on any upcoming opportunities.
- Get involved: Join student clubs, attend case competitions, and take advantage of any other opportunities to help you stand out!
- Be prepared for basic interview questions: The question “Tell me about yourself” comes up every time, so be sure to practice this!
- Write your CV now: Include part-time jobs, volunteering work, or any other experience. Having at least a draft ready will be so helpful, as the last thing you want to do when you are drowning in uni work is to write a CV.
Scholarships
- Scholarships open at around the beginning of the year, and some civil engineering companies offer them alongside internship positions! This can be a great way to secure an internship offer early on! Scholarship Finder UoA
- Summer research scholarship given out by the University opens around the inter-semester break. This counts towards the 800 practical work hours and is a good fit if you’re interested in post-grad or research. Summer Research Scholarship
Does GPA matter?
From my experience, it somewhat does. Many job applications I’ve encountered require an academic transcript, and some do specifically ask for a GPA of at least 6 or above. However, GPA is also not everything, so maintaining a decent GPA with good extracurriculars and interview skills will make you stand out way more than just having good grades.
How do I write a good Cover letter/CV?
There are many resources available that the university offers for this:
- The Practical Work Centre at the Leech (same place as the Part I assistance centre) and CDES also run CV checks (CV360, drop-in sessions and online cover letter checks). CDES
- CESA & WEN host CV/cover letter workshops and also speed interview practice. So keep an eye out for those events running throughout the year.
For cover letters, the general template I personally like to follow is:
- Intro (You can include things like who you are, what role you’re applying for, and what you study.)
- Why do you want to apply to the XX company?
- What can you offer them?
- A short conclusion
Disclaimer: This is just my go-to structure and is definitely not the only way to write one.
Interview tips?
- Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. It was recommended to me by so many people and is a good way to structure your answers for behavioural-type questions.
- Study the company/job description. What I mean is, before going into that interview, study what they are looking for. For example, if they want a team player, tell them how you are a team player (give specific examples). If they want someone who’s organised and reliable, tell them you’re organised and reliable. Basically, you need to convince the employer that you are what they are looking for and make sure to follow the STAR format when doing so! 😉
- Always have questions prepared: This part can be easily overlooked, but it is super important to have questions to show your interest. Generally, aim to have 4-5 questions ready, and some employers also don’t mind if you bring a notebook with pre-written questions.
Final thoughts
Internship hunting is hard, especially in this current job market. Starting early, building up your CV, and staying organised will make it so much more manageable. Also, don’t stress if you don’t land one in the second year. The truth is, companies prefer to hire third or fourth years, and it’s actually more common than you think to not land an internship offer in your second year.
At the end of the day (in an attempt to sound as motivational as possible), every application, interview and rejection is an experience. Although getting countless rejections or being ghosted after long hours spent in the application process can feel disheartening, just remember that rejection is simply redirection, as per my delusion.
That’s all for now! Hopefully, this will help you in your internship hunting journey! Good luck with the rest of sem 2 😄
Jolie 🪼