STUDENT FAQS

Both co-ops and internships give engineering students valuable real-world experience in their field. The main difference is the length and timing of the experience. 

Internships typically take place during the summer and usually last 10 to 12 weeks. Students may complete an internship with the same company for multiple summers, with each summer counting as a separate experience. 

Co-ops are longer-term experiences that typically span three semesters. Students can complete a co-op during a combination of Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, depending on the student’s schedule and the employer’s needs. 

Both options are excellent ways to explore a career, build professional skills, and apply what you are learning in the classroom. Because co-ops last longer, they also give students more time to become involved in larger projects and take on greater responsibility. 

Yes! Engineering Professional Practice works with companies and extends paid opportunities for our Engineering Vols. The average pay for students on an internship or co-op in 2025 was $23.40/hour.  

EPP works closely with Engineering Advising and One Stop to help students understand how a co-op may affect their enrollment, scholarships, and financial aid. Our Engineering Vols are able to pause their enrollment and financial aid for the duration of their co-op assignment. For step-by-step instructions on pausing your enrollment and financial aid, visit our page on reporting a co-op or internship. 

A co-op may affect your graduation date depending on your course schedule, required courses, and when those courses are offered. Your Engineering advisor can help you plan your co-op experience and understand how it may fit into your degree plan. 

While a co-op may require some flexibility in your academic timeline, the professional benefits can be significant. Engineering Vols who complete a co-op or internship are 70% more likely to graduate with a full-time job offer compared with students who do not complete a professional experience. Students with co-op and internship experience on average earn higher starting salaries after graduation. 

We recommend that students begin learning about opportunities and preparing their resumes as early as their first semester. Most students will begin actively applying for positions during their sophomore or junior year, depending on their engineering discipline and career goals, but we recommend exploring as early as possible. Starting early gives you more time to explore your options and find an experience that aligns with your interests and goals. 

The EPP Ambassador team is a great place to start. They are trained to help you with resume reviews, provide feedback on how to highlight your experiences, and help you prepare for the internship and co-op search. 

If you are early in your college career, include experiences such as class projects from Engineering Fundamentals classes, student organizations, leadership roles, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and technical skills.  

You do not have to wait until you have a perfect resume to get started. In fact, you don’t have to have a resume at all! Bring what you have to an Ambassador, and we can help you take the next step. 

There are many ways to find internship and co-op opportunities, and we encourage Engineering Vols to use more than one resource. Good places to start include: 

• Engineering Expo: Meet employers in person, learn about available opportunities, and build professional connections. 
• Handshake: Search for internships and co-ops posted specifically for UTK students and recent graduates. 
• LinkedIn: Search for opportunities, follow companies you are interested in, and connect with engineering professionals. 
• Company websites: Visit the career pages of companies you are interested in to find and apply for positions directly. 
• Engineering Professional Practice: Connect with the EPP team for guidance on your search, resume support, interview preparation, and other resources. 

The key is to start early, use multiple channels, and apply consistently and with intention. You do not have to find the perfect opportunity right away. Each application, conversation, and career fair is an opportunity to learn and build your professional network. You aren’t alone, EPP is here to help you get started! 

Congratulations! Receiving an internship or co-op offer is an exciting step. Before accepting, take time to review the offer carefully and make sure you understand the details, including pay, location, start and end dates, housing, work responsibilities, and any other benefits or expectations. 

If you have questions or receive multiple offers, the Engineering Professional Practice (EPP) team is here to help. We can help you understand your options, think through the decision, and determine what questions you may want to ask the employer. 

Once you are ready to accept an offer, follow the employer’s instructions for formally accepting the position. Then, connect with EPP to complete the required co-op or internship registration steps and make sure you understand any impact on your course enrollment, financial aid, or graduation plan.

Not sure what to do with an offer? Reach out to EPP at [email protected] for help!  

To learn more about undergraduate research opportunities and how to get started, connect with the Engineering Professional Practice (EPP) team at [email protected]. Our team can help you learn more about available opportunities and connect you with the right resources to explore research that aligns with your interests and goals.