Ultimate Guide to Civil Engineering Internships and Co-ops

SME | Published on August 20, 2024

Key Takeaways: 

• Importance of Internships and Co-ops: Civil engineering Internships and Co-ops are crucial for students because they combine academic learning with professional work. These experiences provide practical skills, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities essential for a successful career. 

• Co-op Program Details: SME’s Co-op program offers a seven-month, immersive experience with hands-on training and mentoring. It allows students to work on real projects, perform assessments, and gain insight into the design and construction processes.  

• Internship Program Insights: Internships at SME are typically three months long and are available to students who have completed a Co-op or are in a Master’s program. Internships build on previous Co-op experience and offer deeper insight into the field, applying classroom theories to practical challenges. 

• Compensation and Benefits: Both Co-op and Internship programs offer competitive pay, overtime, housing stipends, and a smartphone provided by SME to use during your internship/co-op. Additionally, co-ops receive tuition reimbursement. Combined with the hands-on professional experience, these benefits make SME’s programs a valuable opportunity for students to advance their careers while managing educational costs.

As autumn rolls in, engineering students head back to class to expand their knowledge in pursuit of their passion. With thoughts of projects, new classes, and homework swirling, other questions loom: How does what I’m doing here relate to my future as a professional? Am I in the right major? How will I land my first job after graduation? 

These are vital questions, and fortunately, the answer is more obvious than it may seem: Co-op and Internship opportunities for civil engineering and environmental engineering students are the bridge between the classroom and a career and are essential to a well-rounded education. Whether you’re in the first semester of school or midway through your junior year, you will gain valuable practical experience and build your professional network by working in the field alongside engineers, architects, and construction managers. SME offers robust Co-op and Internship opportunities for students majoring in civil engineering, environmental engineering, construction management, and other related fields. 

Co-ops learn to navigate project sites effectively and safely through SME’s professional training.

Wondering what makes a Co-op different than an Internship? Instead of comparing the two opportunities, it is better to look at how they work together, and alongside your hard work in the classroom, to launch you into a successful career. 

Your Professional Journey Starts as a Civil Engineering Co-op

SME’s Co-op program is designed for undergraduate students who haven’t worked with us before. The seven-month experience enriches your education and professional expertise through hands-on training and mentoring from some of the most well-recognized professionals in the Great Lakes region. Our Co-ops can work from Mid-May through December (the Summer Co-op) or February through August (the Winter Co-op).  

This isn’t a shadowing program. Our Co-ops take on genuine project responsibility and play a significant role in our work. Observing conditions on project sites, performing assessments and field work, conducting laboratory testing, interacting with clients, and collaborating with passionate professionals to solve tough challenges are some of the highlights of this opportunity.  

Co-ops are trained to use equipment like the nuclear gauge, which measures material density, moisture, and more.

The semester off from school is a key component of SME’s Co-op experience. There is too much to learn in just three short months! The extended time gives students an opportunity to see the design and construction process from start to finish and experience a wide variety of different projects. You’ll spend this extra time learning by doing, continuing to gain experience, earning a paycheck, and above all, gaining insight you won’t find anywhere else. 

Every year, our Co-ops tell us this immersive learning was the best decision they made for their education because of the hands-on experience gained and relationships they made. We regularly hear back from our Co-ops that there’s no substitute for getting out of the classroom and into job sites that introduce complex problems that require creative thinking. One Co-op put it this way: “The Co-op is all about hands-on learning, and experience is the best teacher.” 

Civil Engineering Internships Take Your Experience to the Next Level

SME offers Internships for undergraduate students who have completed our Co-op or are in a Master’s-level program of study. As opposed to a Co-op, an Internship typically lasts about three months. You’ll work with our teams, project managers, and industry partners to deepen your understanding of your chosen field. By contributing to projects and learning in a hands-on setting during the summer, you will return to school in the fall with insight into how the theories in the classroom apply in real-life scenarios.

What About Pay?

As a Co-op or an Intern, you’ll earn competitive base pay (plus overtime when the opportunity arises). Co-ops also receive tuition reimbursement to reduce education costs. Combined with a generous housing stipend (even if you live at home) and a smartphone to use during your time at SME, the compensation package rewards students who make the commitment to our program.

Ready to gain vital experience in the field and earn a solid paycheck?

If you’re interested in an Internship or Co-op in civil engineering or environmental engineering, SME’s programs will fit your educational requirements, resolve questions about your career path, and compensate you for your time. Our Co-op and Internship programs introduce college students to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and to SME’s dedication to building and revitalizing our world.  

Look for SME at your school’s career fair!

Chances are, one of the first events when school starts in the fall is a career fair. We are excited to meet you! SME visits campuses across the region to talk with students and help you find a career path that is right for you.

Apply now to the Co-op program or email employment@sme-usa.com if you have any questions. We are eager to help you grow!