Engineering internships in Australia are an excellent way for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and prepare for a competitive job market. Work experience should always be relevant and meaningful to your discipline and area of study. Integrating with and contributing to an organization is valuable for both you and the employer.

Why Pursue an Engineering Internship in Australia?

How will you benefit from an Internship?

• Prepares you for entering a professional workplace: This experience not only boosts technical skills but also gives interns the confidence to handle workplace responsibilities.
• Grows your professional network: Internships provide unparalleled networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with professionals, mentors, and even future employers.
• Strengthens your employability prospects: Internships are often a stepping stone to full-time employment, as many companies view internships as an extended job interview.
• Develops your professional capabilities
• Helps you understand workplace expectations and culture
• Shows you how to apply university teachings in a practical environment.

How to Prepare for an Internship?

• Inquire if there’s something to put in writing that you can look at and sign.
• Ensure you’re aware of:
  • What is your job title and description?
  • Your work location and whether you have travel requirements
  • Important contact information such as your supervisor and HR
  • Your start date and end date for an internship, hours the company expects you to complete and whether there’s a probation period
  • Whether it’s a paid position and if it is, pay (including any overtime arrangements)
  • What support you will receive in your new role
  • Policies in your workplace that relate to behaviour and dress codes
  • The process for termination of the agreement
• Know what you want to achieve from the internship.
• Find out if there’s any milestone checkpoints throughout the internship to make sure you’re hitting goals — yours and the organisations.
• Inquire if you will be given access to any necessary equipment, such as a desk, laptop and software data.
• Know any relevant policies such as behaviour, WH&S, dress codes, and parking options.
• Research the Fair Work Act 2009 for questions relating to legal requirements.
• Check whether your university requires your supervisor to be a professional engineer.
• The Stage 2 Competency Standards outline the profession’s required knowledge and skill base, engineering application abilities, professional skills, values, and attitudes you must demonstrate to practise independently or unsupervised. They give you a good grounding in what learning areas you should cover during your work placement.

How to Secure your Internship?

• Always answer all the selection criteria questions.
• Include a cover letter, even if the application doesn’t specifically ask for it.
• Ensure your resume/CV is up to date.
• Review your social media accounts to ensure they’re professional.
• Include any knowledge and/or skills you have that are specific to the role.
• Describe any projects or jobs you’ve worked on.
• Include information about yourself! Employers want to know how you’ll fit into their team.
• Include other jobs you’ve had, even if they don’t relate to engineering.
• Investigate whether you can do a part-time internship to accommodate your exam periods and recommended study hours.

5 Tips for a Successful Internship

1. When you start your internship: Meet with your supervisor to determine their expectations and whether you can be involved in setting goals.
2. Watch and ask questions. Connect with your co-workers to learn as much as you can.
3. Stay professional. Be professional and courteous at all times and make sure you understand and follow workplace procedures.
4. Be enthusiastic. If your workload is low, speak with your supervisor about getting involved in other tasks.
5. Get involved. Take advantage of as many opportunities for practical experience outside the office you can.

The only thing we would advise future interns is to always focus on their goals and never be distracted by bad factors. Be active and always look around for opportunities.

Engineering internships are a critical phase in building a strong foundation for your career. They not only enhance your technical expertise but also prepare you for the challenges of professional work. By choosing the right internship and making the most of the opportunity, you’ll gain the confidence and experience to stand out in the competitive field of engineering.