Students are highly encouraged to gain work experience during their time at UCI. These experiences can span from internships and part-time jobs in their field to more committed co-op positions to research opportunities on campus. Each type of work experience offers unique benefits such as practical skills, industry insights, networking with professionals, and building a competitive resume. Below is a summary of the work experience resources UCI offers engineering students.
Engineering+ Practicum (co-op)
The Engineering+ Practicum is a program which facilitates immersive and committed work experience at an engineering company while the student is working towards their engineering degree.
Administratively, the Engineering+ Practicum program is developing relationships with existing industry co-op programs, helping companies develop new co-op programs, and assisting students in becoming competitive candidates for co-op positions in these programs. This program offers a course to students where they can receive academic credit (2-12 units) for their employment. The program encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world experiences during their educational journey.
Internships
UCI offers multiple resources for students who are looking for an internship. You can find these resources at the UCI Division of Career Pathways.
- Course Credit Options for Internships
- University Studies 193 is an internship course which allows students from all majors to receive credit for an approved internship on or off-campus. This course offers 2-4 units of P/NP. Students may enroll in the course for up to three quarters regardless of the number of units taken for the course each quarter.
Micro-Internships
Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, project-based assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. Participating in micro-internships helps you explore different career paths while building your portfolio, expanding your network, and developing your skills as you seek the right full-time role.
Research Opportunities
UCI offers valuable research opportunities for undergraduate engineering students. These opportunities allow students to work alongside experienced faculty, explore their interests in depth, contribute to advancements in their field, and build a strong foundation for either their future academic journey in graduate school or their professional careers after undergrad. You can find resources on undergraduate research here.
Career Prep Resources
Division of Career Pathways is our on-campus hub that provides UCI students with the resources needed for career development and preparation.
- Resume & Cover letter Samples
- Virtual and In-Person Appointments
- Talk with DCP career education staff on-campus or online. Make an appointment to discuss careers, internships, graduate school, job searches, resume building, cover letters, and interview prep.
- Applying to Graduate School
- Career Fairs Dates
- Workshops
- Information Sessions
- Webinars
- Find Internships
- Find Employers based on industry or major
- Career Readiness Webpage for Students
- Career Readiness Self Evaluation Handout
- Career Readiness Handout for Undocumented Students
- Career Conversations resources and links
Contact
If you have questions about our work experience options and resources, please contact the School of Engineering’s Experiential Learning Coordinator: Uni Nguyen, nguyensu@uci.edu.
How Industry Can Get Involved
Companies looking to get involved with UCI School of Engineering for internships, co-ops, or other work experience opportunities should check our For Industry page and contact OEL directly at oel-eng@uci.edu.