15 Best Civil Engineering Summer Internships In 2024

Did you know that only civil engineering students in their second and third years go for summer internships? And the period of time for these internships is usually less than one year, and the school determines it?

But, one of the biggest issues graduates face today is a lack of experience. Without experience, you will not be able to practice effectively, and a course like Civil Engineering needs all the field experience you can get.

If you get a good internship placement, practicing after graduation will become easier. Furthermore, on your resume, it will be counted as an experience that will enable you to secure a job faster than only those with grades.

This article covers 15 of the best civil engineering summer internships in 2024 for students to apply to and get ample world-class experience.

We will discuss a lot of things in this article. Stay with us!

What Is Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering is the oldest discipline in engineering that involves the planning, design, construction, and operation of facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges to transit systems.

Furthermore, Civil Engineering is designing and constructing public works, such as dams, bridges, and other big infrastructure projects.

While most people think of everyday infrastructures like bridges and roads, civil engineers also create and manage waste removal systems, energy creation power plants, water systems, and even technology used in the aerospace industry.

What Are Civil Engineering Summer Internships?

Civil engineering internships for many students is, one way to navigate past the problem of having no work experience. It curbs this by allowing inexperienced students to gain work experience related to their future careers.

Basically, civil engineering internship is that period of time a civil engineering student attaches himself to an engineering firm to learn about the practical aspect of his course of study. During this time, he works under the supervision of a civil engineer to perform industry-related practices and jobs.

You can check out; List of Paid Civil Engineering Internships for International Students 2024

Why Are Civil Engineering Summer Internships Important?

While a civil engineering degree is a smashing achievement, it’s not enough to set you apart from the crowd. The only solution is to get as much work experience on your CV as possible.

Here is why. Interning as a civil engineering student can provide valuable industry experience that you will need much later in your career. Also, there is a chance to try the different areas of civil engineering work. That is because there are different departments, even in a civil engineering firm, where they can specialize in different branches of civil engineering.

Furthermore, not only can civil engineering summer internship programs help students map out a future career path, but they can also help them decide on which branch of civil engineering to specialize in. During practice, students discover the branches that best fit their personalities and capture their interests.

In addition, they know whether to pursue a graduate program in a specific engineering field.

You Can Read 15 Types of Internships for International Students [Detailed Guide]

How Long Is A Civil Engineering Summer Internship?

The length of time that civil engineering summer internships last is usually a maximum of one year. Most schools do not grant students the attachment period of one year; it is usually less. This is for students in their second or third year of study.

However, the school and your civil engineering department determine the exact number of months.

Furthermore, other summer internships for other civil engineering students typically last from a few weeks to a few months. You can complete these during breaks as that is when most civil engineering schools grant students that option, especially if they are not in the year mentioned above of study. This is usually between 4 to 16 weeks.

Don’t fail to check out; 13 Best Engineering Internships For High School Students in 2024

What Are The Career Opportunities For Civil Engineers During Internship?

There are career opportunities for civil engineering graduates to specialize in any engineering branch. Basically, you can choose to become one of these;

Structural Civil Engineers

These experts work with architects and builders to ensure that the materials used in construction projects are adequate for them.

During your summer internship program, a student can work with this engineer to learn the practical application of all the theorems they have taught him so far.

Geotechnical Civil Engineers

Students can specialize here and do their internship program with an expert. These professionals help builders excavate underground projects.

In addition, they help plan dams to regulate water flow and even coordinate the placement and design of landfills and quarries.

Transportation Civil Engineers

If transportation is your specialty, you get to learn how to identify growth and development areas and look for opportunities to alleviate traffic hassle.

In addition, you learn about design plans and the development of cost estimates for construction projects. After a road is completed, transportation engineers also ensure that roads are maintained and repaired.

Construction Civil Engineers

The main job of this engineer is to ensure that they complete building projects on time and under budget. They coordinate the efforts of teams of engineers and laborers to meet tight production schedules.

Environmental Engineers

Environmental engineers work to ensure the safety of lives in their surroundings. Their job description typically includes instituting new air pollution standards, designing complex treatment systems that remove contaminants from our environment, and examining the soil to be free from contaminants. 

Hydrology/Water Resource Civil Engineers

These professionals redirect water to benefit residents and businesses. They construct canals to speed up shipping and build dams that generate vital electricity while opening up new parcels of land for development. They also design pipelines and lots more.

What Are The Basic Skills Required For Civil Engineering Internship?

Interns should have some basic skills that will make them outstanding amongst other intern applicants, such as;

• Strong academic record
• Experience in engineering and structural design
• knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Microsoft Office suites
• Report writing and communication skills
• Some employers prefer interns with an Engineer in Training (EIT) designation.

How Can I Apply for a Civil Engineering Summer Internship?

Before applying for a civil engineering summer internship, you must first find the internship programs.

Now, to find internship programs, here are some ways,

• Apply through your school co-op program
• Utilize search sites like internship.com and social media sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Go to some top construction sites, click their careers, and search for ongoing internships for civil engineering.

After the search, now to apply for these civil engineering internship programs,

• Fill out the application form
• Include your cover letter
• Add the academic transcripts. In fact, have them handy as most schools request for them.
• Submit your internship request letter given by your school

Civil Engineering Schools That Place Students On Internship Programs

Some civil engineering schools and programs offer internship placements to their students.

They do this by partnering with companies and organizations to grant their students’ industry experience when the time comes. Some of those schools are listed below in no particular order.

• University of Connecticut
• Utah State University
• University of Minnesota
• Cornell University

15 Best Civil Engineering Summer Internships in 2024

This post contains the best 15 civil engineering summer internship programs students worldwide can get into in 2024.

We must note that most of them are paid and have a time frame to which you may apply to them. Once the time has elapsed, the opportunity is gone.

Moving on, below are the best civil engineering summer internships for civil engineering students.

Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) – Hanover offers this internship opportunity for civil engineering students.

This ORISE appointment is a summer opportunity. However, it may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and participant availability.

According to the organization, the students will gain hands-on experience in a real-world laboratory environment, in addition to modern research technologies and techniques.

The experience will also focus on personal career development in the areas of STEM, providing opportunities to collaborate and network with other students and researchers across all STEM disciplines.

Summer Intern – Civil/Environmental Engineer

Crawford & Associates is looking to hire 2-3 summer interns to help with our workload from local civil/environmental engineering students.

C&A is a land surveying and engineering company in Houston, New York. Basically, they provide a work environment that allows for professional growth and experience while understanding the importance of life/work balance and the desire to contribute to a better future.

In addition, the salaries are competitive, and the benefits include individual health coverage, 401K plan, education reimbursement, insurances, and more.

You can also read 15 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Canada in 2024

Greening Youth Foundation

GYF, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, seeks a 26-week, Civil Engineering intern.

Basically, what this intern will do is assist with providing technical advice on complex facility maintenance projects like improvement plans for buildings, barracks, bridges, water and wastewater systems, residences, recreational, and other site facilities.

Some of his duties will be;

• Coordinate engineering and administrative work
• Interpret engineering project notes, data, and specifications of roads, trails, bridges, drainage structures, and other systems.
• Help prepare and review drawings and sketches, construction details, installation drawings, and other technical products
• Help write reports to inform key staff and partners regarding quality assurance and control issues.

However, this is a paid internship for $15.00 per hour. And you work on a full-time basis.

AECOM Civil Engineering Intern

AECOM is seeking a Civil Engineering Intern to be based in Windsor, Ontario, for term work employment in the Canadian Project office for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. If you can work in a high-paced environment, then the offer is just for you.

Basically, this position in one of the biggest civil engineering firms is expected to begin in October 2024.

Some of the basic requirements include but are not limited to these;

• Must undergo AECOM and client site and safety orientation
• Will be in the 3rd year of a civil engineering program and intending to continue after the internship
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

In addition, there is also a summer internship program for civil engineering students. However, it will be taken in Hong Kong, and you can apply here.

WSP SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

WSP is one of the biggest engineering and design firms in the USA. Annually, the firm holds a summer internship program that is quite competitive and spans through the summer break.

Typically, WSP will offer civil engineering internships in the US for summer and spring 2024. The company prefers students with experience with Bentley MicroStation, Bentley InRoads, and StormCAD.

Some of the duties and responsibilities include;

• performing basic civil/highway/track/drainage design tasks
• assisting in design drawing preparation
• coordinating of design disciplines, including structures, hydraulics/drainage, and traffic.

Tetra Tech Internship

Tetra Tech was founded in 1966 in California and has over 250 offices nationwide. This civil engineering student internship is in Tetra Tech’s Irvine, CA, office.

The intern will help provide engineering support for the site. Typical projects include municipal, commercial, and Federal Department of Defence projects like stormwater, grading, sewer, water, streets, bikeways, bridges, keeping walls, parks, and related ancillary facilities.

Note that interns may be expected to be available part-time during the school year. 

The basic requirements are,

• Familiarity with relevant codes and industry standards.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project) programs. Familiarity with Microstation is a plus.
• Third or fourth-year student in a Bachelor’s program in Civil Engineering
• Submit a cover letter

Stantec Summer Internship

Stantec is an engineering services company that offers professional services in the design and consulting industry.

This is what you stand to benefit from: as an Engineering NZ Professional Development Partner, Stantec will pay your membership fees and assist you to select the right mentor to fast-track your path to registration.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to work on leading-edge projects fully supported by the Graduate Development Programme.

Of course, you have to be a second or third-year civil engineering or civil engineering technology student, have a full driver’s license, and be available to commence work from mid-November 2024 to mid-February 2024.

Lastly, this position is in Auckland, New Zealand.

You can also check out: 17 Internships For High School Students In 2024

Jones Edmunds Engineering Intern

Jones Edmunds, one of ENR’s top 500 design firms has an exciting opportunity for an Engineer Intern in the  Gainesville Office.

A typical Engineering Intern applies engineering education to perform fundamental design tasks while acquiring and developing additional knowledge, experience, and skills.

The position requires the exercise of judgment on details of work and in the application of standard engineering methods, so a very organized civil engineering student is required.

Heavy Civil Field Engineering Intern

Aside from the requirements of interning at Flatiron Construction in Calgray, Canada, which includes beginner knowledge of CAD applications and an undergraduate in civil engineering, this offer has many interesting benefits. They include,

• Comprehensive compensation package and paid time off program
• Industry-leading 401(k)/RRSP
• Medical/Extended Health Care, Dental, Vision, and/or Provincial Medical
• Wellness benefits & Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

In addition, you will be allowed to apply your academic training and skills in a real-world setting on some of the most exciting and technically challenging construction projects in North America.

American Bridge Company

The civil engineering co-op program is an opportunity for college civil engineering students to join one of the industry’s leading bridge and marine construction companies and work on some of the world’s most complex and marquee civil engineering projects, including the Tappan Zee Bridge, the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Here, you will apply your academic training and skills in a real-world setting in the US, Caribbean, and Canada. In addition, you will have three different rotations in the Engineering, estimating, and operations departments.

The requirements are;

• Currently enrolled in a Civil Engineering program and have completed at least two years of studies in the Civil Engineering discipline.
• Experience with PCs and mid-level knowledge of AutoCAD, Excel, BlueBeam, and Revit Software
• Must be able to read and interpret design drawings.

 Kiewit Intern

Kiewit is a large construction, mining, and engineering company. These are the basic responsibilities of interns in Canada.

• Field engineering, operation planning, cost control, project scheduling, quantity tracking, material procurement, contract administration, estimating & supervision of field activities
• Maintaining records regarding job progress
•  Planning and scheduling of job and/or job segments
•  Investigating problems and reporting incidents identifying and recommending solutions/alternatives as appropriate
• Working with suppliers as required facilitating the handling and expediting delivery of materials

Lastly, the requirements to be accepted for this internship position are as follows.

• Ability to travel or relocate as needed
• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in civil engineering, construction management.
• Ability to freely access all points of a construction site in wide-ranging climates and environments  
• Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking the initiative 

GE Renewable Energy Supply Chain Internship (EID, OMLP)

If you love technology and sustainability and want a career in manufacturing operations management, a GE Renewable supply chain internship is for you!

Basically, these are some of the work you will do, including product design, systems, component design (such as towers, machine head, power conversion), controls and operability, advanced technology and manufacturing, testing and validation, aerodynamics, performance, quality, services, cost-out, and more.

A GPA greater than or equal to 3.0/4.0 overall is required among other requirements. So, engineering students with a lower GPA cannot apply.

Engineer: Intern – Summer

This role is by Prince Construction in the US.

The job summary of this role is thus; Provide technical engineering information to project supervision and crafts to ensure construction work complies with all engineering standards, codes, and specifications.

Amongst the numerous requirements, the applicant must be

• currently enrolled at an accredited university or college as an engineering student working toward a B.S. in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Engineering and Management (CEM).
• excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• proficiency with Excel, Word, Primavera 6, Agtek, and Terra Model

Civil Engineering Intern– Parsons Fresno, CA

Ready to advance your education and have the opportunity to work on large-scale engineering projects?

Parsons is now accepting applications for an Engineering Co-op student who has great attention to detail and wants to join a rapidly growing team, enhancing the fabric of the community.

As an intern, you will utilize a CAD workstation to prepare engineering drawings consisting of basic arrangements, layouts, flow sheets, assemblies, isometrics, etc.,

Intern at R.A. Smith, Inc. – Irvine, CA

raSmith is a consulting civil engineering and land surveying company dedicated to our clients, employees, and profession.

The work includes both private and public sector projects in land development, transportation and traffic, and structural, municipal, and ecological areas. We work on projects nationwide from our eight Wisconsin, Illinois, and California locations.

The basic requirements are thus: must have completed the first year in civil engineering, have AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Microsoft Office product experience, and be able to solve basic engineering problems.

FAQs on the Best Civil Engineering Summer Internships

Conclusion

This post has extensively discussed 15 of the best internship programs for civil engineering students this summer. Go through the list and apply to get the necessary field experience to enhance your professionalism.

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References

• https://www.indeed.com/jobs
• https://newengineer.com
• www.internships.com/posting
• https://www.simplyhired.com/search
• https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/summer-internship

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