Written by: Grace Recavarren, Carnegie Mellon University Graduate 2022
My Junior year of college, Covid-19 was still rampant, and jobs were few and far between as companies struggled to regain a foothold. Internships were even less of a priority, and many students were left without contacts or direction. As is most often the case, the companies bouncing back the quickest and recruiting most normally were the large consultancies.
Over the past four years of my undergrad, I’ve seen many students in my engineering major shy away from other types of engineering outside of consulting. The hiring process for large engineering consultancies is brisk and straightforward; this is extremely attractive to unknowing undergrad, especially in times of Covid. Smaller, more product-based companies are less likely to recruit from universities and bring in interns.
Undergraduate engineering curriculums skew towards the theoretical. While this provides the student with a large foundation from which to choose their interests, it doesn’t provide much in terms of technological certifications. Students often assume that to successfully work in an engineering field, they must complete a master’s or doctorate. This remains incredibly untrue. It’s not necessary to specialize before entering the engineering product/manufacturing field, in fact, younger talent is incredibly understaffed.
In the Summer of 2021, I worked with a smaller San Diego based company called Frontier Water Systems. My previous internship had been a large organization, which was often confusing regarding work and chain of command. Smaller companies are much more familial and offer more opportunities for more significant work. While working in this smaller company, I was more exposed to all sectors of work and gained more skills and exposure as a result.
Smaller companies should work to attract university students and younger workers. These younger workers bring in fresh skills and perspectives which can greatly aid in the company’s workflow. It’s also a great chance for these young interns to network directly with individuals with greatly established careers. The shorter chain of command offers greater insight into all levels of the workplace, from the executives down.
Working for a smaller company provides better skills, opportunities, and insight for young workers. These interns offer these companies more value, as they’re more likely to be rehired and be more acclimated to the work culture. Working for a smaller company was my most beneficial internship experience, and I look forward to returning to join them full time.
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