We encourage students to acquire relevant work experience during the course of their studies. Internships / industrial practicums are paid, full time work terms conducted in a field related to your studies. Full time engineering undergraduate students can participate in 4, 8, 12 or 16 month internships. Students must be full-time in one of the following programs: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Software Engineering. Students studying Materials or Mining Engineering participate in the mandatory co-op program.
To obtain the Internship Program designation, students must complete at least:
- Two 4 month long work terms (industrial practicum); or
- One 8, 12 or 16 month long internship (2-4 consecutive work terms with the same employer)
To assist students in their preparation for the Engineering Internship Program, we offer both workshops and individual advising.
Workshops are held regularly between September and March and provide detailed information on requirements, procedures, and benefits of the Engineering Internship Program. Individual advising is offered by appointment or on a drop-in basis (see schedule). For further information contact us.
Why do an internship?
Participating in the Engineering Internship program and completing an internship in industry can help students to:
- Clarify their post-graduation career goals and preferred working style.
- Learn more about the workplace and employer expectations.
- Apply knowledge gained in the classroom.
- Develop skills and gain relevant work experience.
- Learn workplace etiquette and business communication.
- Improve organizational and time management skills.
- Earn a salary to help finance their education.
- Get hands-on experience with the latest tools or methods in their field.
- Develop business contacts and build a network to assist in finding employment upon graduation.
- Become a more marketable candidate to employers upon graduation.
Student Eligibility
- Students must be registered full-time in their program before and after their internship.
- Students must have at least 15 credits remaining in their degree program (not including minors).
- Students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.0.
- Students are expected to plan their future course schedules prior to beginning the internship job search.
- International students are eligible to apply for internships (some restrictions apply) – Please speak with the Internship Advisor.
- Students are advised to speak with an Advisor to discuss the best time to complete an internship. Students cannot be away for more than 2 academic terms.
Application Procedures
- Students should begin their internship job search at least one term prior to their preferred internship start date.
- Many internship opportunities are posted on myFuture on an on-going basis and deadlines for application must be respected. Students must apply as instructed in the job postings.
- Selected interview candidates are notified by email by the Engineering Career Centre, or directly by the employer either by phone or email. Students are expected to check their email on a daily basis.
- Employers submit results of the students' job offers to the Engineering Career Centre.
- Offers are made through the Career Centre to selected students or directly by the employer.
Engineering Internship Program Requirements
The EIP is an academic program – it will be reflected on your transcript and is included in your program name.
- Each internship / industrial practicum must be approved by the Engineering Career Centre, and students must meet the registration deadline dates and all requirements.
- An internship / industrial practicum may begin in January, May, or September and continue for 4, 8, 12 or 16 months (students may only begin 16 month internships in May).
- Students must return to complete their studies at McGill University. Internship students will receive an automatic extension for the completion of their studies.
- At the end of each work term, you will be required to submit an evaluation and a written report of your work experience.
- Students are not allowed to complete their undergraduate degree requirements during the Internship period.
- Note: Students may find their own internship independently. Contact us if you are planning on accepting a position that you would like to register as an internship.
Industrial Practicum (4-month work term) course
- The IP is a zero credit, Pass/Fail course, which will appear on your transcript
- To obtain a passing grade, students must: work for the mandatory minimum period of 14 weeks; obtain a satisfactory evaluation from your employer; and submit an evaluation and a written report.
- If you find your own engineering summer job and would like to register it as an IP, contact the Career Centre before you begin working to request approval and make these arrangements.
- International students are eligible to apply for summer IPs (some restrictions apply) provided they hold an Off Campus Work Permit.
Student Responsibilities
It is expected that students participating in the EIP will:
- provide accurate and appropriate information on their qualifications and interests when applying for positions
- notify the Engineering Career Centre office well in advance if interviews must be rescheduled or cancelled
- notify the institution of acceptance or rejection of an offer within the time allotted
- honour the acceptance of the offer, since it is a contractual agreement with both the employer and the institution
On the job the student will:
- be responsible and accountable
- respect safety and the environment
- demonstrate ethical and professional judgment
- be punctual, resourceful, adaptable and productive
- recognize and respect the employer/employee relationship: communicate progress and areas of concern with the employer first, then the Engineering Career Centre
- assist the Engineering Career Centre in coordinating site visits
INTERNSHIPS ABROAD: McGill encourages students to include an international educational experience as part of their studies. However, the University will not approve student travel to all countries or regions of countries, as the safety of students is of primary importance. Internships will not be approved nor receive recognition in locations for which DFAIT has issued a level 3 or 4 warning.