Undergraduate Student Timeline

First Year

Talk to an academic adviser about different engineering majors.
Establish a strong grade-point average by working and studying hard. Many employers require a minimum 3.0 GPA for internship or co-op positions.
Look at internship and co-op postings in Nittany Lion Careers to see what options may be open to you.
Put together a résumé (or update an existing one).
Create a LinkedIn account.
Learn the basics of writing a cover letter so you will be prepared to apply for internship or co-op positions.
Invest in a good-quality business professional outfit that you can use for interviews.
Participate in career fairs and other career-related events where you can network with employers that hire engineering majors.
Join engineering-related student organizations to make connections with like-minded students and build experience.
If you're an international student, talk to an adviser in International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA) about any special requirements or conditions you may have to work in the United States.
Clean up your social media accounts, removing or making private anything that might give future employers a negative impression of you.

Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile with any career-related experience.
Use Nittany Lion Careers to find and apply for internship or co-op positions related to your major and career interests.
Practice your networking skills at on-campus and/or virtual recruiting events.
Join a professional organization related to your major or intended major.
Connect with Engineering Career Envoys to learn more about their internship and co-op experiences and get career advice.

Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile with any career-related experience.
If you're transitioning to University Park from another Penn State campus and you need help with your résumé and/or cover letter, work with the Engineering Career Envoys as soon as possible—you need to start your job search right away!
Use Nittany Lion Careers to find and apply for internship or co-op positions related to your major and career interests.
Participate in as many on-campus and/or virtual recruiting events as possible—including career fairs, networking receptions, and recruitment days—to make connections with recruiters. Ask for contact information from those of interest.

If you're planning to go to graduate or professional school, take any required entrance exams (e.g., GRE).
Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile to include any engineering-related internship or co-op experience.
Search and apply for entry-level full-time jobs, using Nittany Lion Careers and other job search resources.
Learn about common interview types.
Contact people in your professional network—e.g., current and former employers, faculty members, and/or instructors—to request recommendations.
Connect with employers at recruiting events.