Internships and Co-ops
The College of Engineering and Computing provides students majoring in our programs the opportunity to gain practical work experience in their field of study through working in industry. The department offers two different programs: co-op and internship. Participation in either of these programs is by student choice.
The importance of internships and co-op education cannot be overemphasized. Data clearly shows that co-op experiences help students achieve greater employment opportunities and faster career progress as compared to those who have not had any such exposure prior to graduation. Actual working experience in an industrial or a professional setting prior to graduation helps accomplish the following:
- to provide the "real" world practical experience
- to enhance one's educational experience by gaining more appreciation of the applied knowledge
- to enhance oral and writing, and interpersonal skills
- to gain appreciation of and exposure to the industrial workplace
- to assess the relevance of a career in chosen discipline to the student's long-term goals
Other tangible benefits include financial gain, enhanced full-time job opportunities, and a sense of contribution by engaging in a productive activity.
Internship and co-op participation is the student's choice, though it is very strongly recommended. The student can elect to do an internship for about three months (generally in the summer) or a co-op consisting of the summer and one semester (approximately 8 months). We strongly recommend that students do a summer internship, at a minimum, prior to graduation.
Twice per academic year, Miami has a Career Day, where many companies visit Miami for recruiting purposes. At these events, students are strongly encouraged to attend, résumés in hand, to meet company representatives and to apply to internship and co-op positions that interest them. It is essential that students register with the Center for Career Exploration and Success to be eligible for interviews with companies during Career Day events.
Co-Op Program
The Co-Op Programs requires 5 years to complete the degree. Students generally schedule their first assignment for the summer or fall after their sophomore year and alternate terms between school and work for a total of 3-4 work terms. Some companies do allow co-ops to begin their work assignments following their freshman year.
We currently have more companies wanting co-ops than we have students willing to fill those positions.
BME/CSE Co-op
Students in the Paper, Chemical, and Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science and Software Engineering programs can apply for the BME/CSE Co-op program.
Learn more about the BME/CSE Co-op
Internship Program
The Internship Program is normally for one work assignment, on occasion a student is asked to return for a second work assignment. An internship is a full-time work experience for a semester or summer term. It allows the company to hire a student to work on a special project or to fill a short-term need.
Internship/Co-op FAQs
Co-op students alternate between work and school every other academic term, including summers. For example, during the summer of your 2nd year in school you may have your first work assignment, in the fall you would return to school for a semester, in the spring you would return to work with the same employer, and again in the summer you would take classes.
An internship is a work experience for a semester or during the summer. It allows the company to hire a student to work on a special project or fill a short-term need. Sometimes a student can have an internship with the same employer for two or more summers, while other students work two or more summers but with different employers each time.
Register with the Center for Career Exploration and Success. Follow the prompts on the linked page to search, apply, and receive credit for your internship.
The Department is not responsible for placing you in a position. We are here to assist you by making information on opportunities available. Information we receive on opportunities will be emailed. Students should also check the Center for Career Exploration and Success website on a regular basis.
You may begin an internship or co-op as early as the summer following your freshman year, depending on the company. Most students, however, wait until after their sophomore year. Students doing a co-op usually do their first rotation in the spring or summer of their sophomore year. Check with your MME advisor to discuss your academic and career plans.
Course Registration
It is essential that you register for a Professional Practice course (see below) when away on co-op/intern assignment. There is no charge for registering for this course, since you register it for zero credit hours. The course records your coop/internship experience on your transcript as well as retains your “enrolled status” for spring and fall. This also enables the Registrar’s Office to forward upcoming registration information to you while you are on assignment.
- Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering - CPB 340
- Computer Science and Software Engineering - CSE 320
- Electrical and Computer Engineering - ECE 340
- Mechanical Engineering - MME 340
The College of Engineering and Computing
