Large aerospace companies typically recruit for interns in the fall with offers extended at the beginning of the new year. Campus job fairs are an excellent way to connect with companies and get your resume into the companies’ databases. Smaller companies may hire until the spring for the summer. Some companies offer year-round internship programs which means students can intern in the fall or spring in addition to the summer if they are willing to take a term off to work. Purdue Industrial Roundtable (IR) in September is a great opportunity to meet with companies for potential internships.

Companies are interested in students with good, but not necessarily perfect grades. They are also interested in students with hands-on, beginning engineering experience either through student projects or work. Student involvement in extracurricular activities (student organizations, leadership, athletics, part-time work etc.) is also a consideration.

Trying different organizations can give students insights into various parts of the aerospace business. Depending on your interests, you may choose to explore both commercial companies and government organizations or both large and smaller, or companies that are in different aerospace segments such as airframe, engine, space launch or aerospace supplier. If you do find an organization that is a good fit for you, cultivate relationships there to secure a full-time position and that may mean multiple internships with one organization. If you are pursuing multiple internships with the same company, consider internships in different groups, functions, or geographic locations.

All international students who have an internship or co-op must register for one of AAE's Professional Practice courses to maintain visa status. Contact your academic advisor to find the right course for you.

As you are attempting to get engineering work experience, you might apply to many positions. Once you have work experience, the process typically becomes easier. Use the job fairs on campus in the fall and the spring to talk to many companies at once. You can also use Purdue's career services. Most companies post their internships opening on-line, so applying to multiple internships is relatively quick and easy.

Yes, it is definitely possible with concerted effort. Think about experiences you can get on campus during the year that will make you a better candidate even though you have completed limited coursework. Participate in student-led build projects or volunteer for leadership positions in student organizations. To improve you chances of finding internships early in your Purdue education, consider looking for opportunities with smaller aerospace companies and companies that are in the aerospace supply chain.

Any engineering work experience is helpful when trying to secure your next internship or full-time position. Consider looking for opportunities in the aerospace supply chain. There are hundreds of large and small companies that supply components, materials or services to the big aerospace companies. If you cannot find an internship in aerospace, look in related fields such as companies that hire mechanical engineers.

One internship leads to others. The main thing is to get relevant work experience and to think about that experience more broadly than only aerospace. Looking for opportunities in the aerospace supply chain or in adjacent industries (automotive, industrial, civil, testing, etc.) is especially important for international students since these companies typically have less restrictive work permit requirements.

There are ways to get valuable experience other than internships. On-campus research positions may be available if you talk to the groups and professors involved. The Purdue Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience.

There are also projects that are sponsored by various organizations such as NASA that offer experience without being an official internship. Another alternative is to look for volunteer opportunities that will provide some relevant work experiences.