Externships

Interested in participating? Here are answers to some common questions. Please contact the ECAC Externship Coordinator for additional information.

How are students matched with employers?

The matching process takes into account which majors the employers would like to invite. Students are matched by the order of their applications. Once employers and students are matched, a list of students who have selected your company is sent along with their resumes.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of students that must participate? 

For optimal student interaction, employers typically select 10-25 students, although this number may vary based on facilities. Employers may also set a maximum number of students for attendance.

What have other companies’ externship visits looked like?

This can vary widely between employers. We recommend 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, depending on the company’s availability to accommodate student schedules. Some do a full day of activities; others do a half day (ex: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM). Students most enjoy being able to tour facilities and talk to actual engineers who can provide insight into what kinds of projects they work on and what their day-to-day is like. Short presentations about the company’s work, vision and culture also go over well. A light lunch is usually provided for students depending on the length and time of the visit.

Would the students be able to showcase themselves to recruiters/engineers while they’re visiting with us?

We view externships as an excellent opportunity for students to get valuable on-site experience with employers in their field of study. It is primarily an opportunity for employers to showcase what it would be like to work for that company, but the program is flexible enough to also allow students to demonstrate what they offer as well. While the externship experience is not meant to be a formal recruiting opportunity, the externship day can be structured by the employer to offer plenty of opportunities for more informal interaction between students and recruiters/engineers. Employers have control over how they set the agenda.

IInterested in participating? Here are answers to some common questions. Please contact the ECAC Externship Coordinator for additional information.

How long does an externship last?

Each employer has a different itinerary and usually plans an entire day of activities. The average externship lasts about five hours.

Will I be interviewed?

No. The externship visit is not a formal recruiting event. It is an opportunity to learn more about the field of engineering without the stress of an interview.

Will an externship lead to a co-op or internship?

Not necessarily. We encourage you to bring a resume and network with the employer representatives; however, this is not intended to be a job-searching event.

How do I get to the employer site?

You must provide your own transportation to and from the employer site. However, upon registration completion, you may request rideshare assistance by contacting the Externship Coordinator.

What do I wear to an externship visit?

Unless otherwise noted by the host employer, dress in business casual attire. View interview attire guidelines on ENGR Direct Students.

Am I guaranteed an externship visit?

Yes and no. Although we do our best to enlist employers from each engineering discipline and in multiple cities, not all students will be accommodated with an employer in their major and preferred location.

Students are matched with one employer based on academic discipline in order of resume submission. Students who frequently check their emails and promptly act on them have a better chance of getting an externship with their top choice.

Keep in mind that even if you are not matched with your top choice of employer, you will still benefit from visiting another organization and learning about how engineering is applied in the corporate world.

Are there any consequences if I select an employer to visit and then do not attend on the day of the externship?

Yes. If you do not show up for your externship and fail to contact both the employer and the externship coordinator in advance, you will lose access to your 12twenty@Texas account. This will block you from using the online system until you meet with the externship coordinator. No-showing is unfair to the employer, who has spent time and money preparing for the event. Additionally, you have taken away the opportunity for another student to participate.

Remember, once you select an employer to visit, you are obligated to participate. They will be expecting you and will contact the Engineering Career Assistance Center if you do not attend.

How do I apply? How will I be matched?

RSVP for Externship postings in order of your preference (#1 choice = 1^st RSVP). Matching will be based on the time and date of RSVPs.

Students are matched with an employer based on their major, the number of slots available and the order in which RSVPs are received. Students who RSVP to multiple listings can and may attend multiple Externships on different days.

Once matched, students will receive an email message with their host employer information, site location and more.  Students will also be confirmed as an event participant in the 12twenty@Texas system.