Have you applied to dozens of engineering co-ops but still aren’t getting interviews?

It can be discouraging to put significant time into applications and hear little—or nothing—back. But that does not mean you aren’t smart enough, capable enough, or experienced enough. In this episode, we look at seven common reasons engineering students may not be getting interviews and what you can do differently moving forward.

You’ll learn why a generic resume can quickly eliminate you from consideration, why applying early matters, and how missing small application instructions can cost you an opportunity. We’ll also discuss how to communicate your experience more effectively, improve your resume formatting, use networking in your search, and determine whether you’re applying to the right positions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why employers often reject generic resumes
• How tailoring your resume can help you stand out
• Why you may be applying too late—even when the job is still posted
• Application instructions that students commonly overlook
• How to better communicate projects, volunteer work, and other experience
• Why resume formatting matters
• How networking can uncover opportunities you may never find online
• How to tell whether a position truly fits your experience and goals

This week’s challenge:

Reflect on your past applications and consider whether any of these seven reasons apply to you:

1. Using a generic resume
2. Applying too late
3. Not following instructions
4. Weakly describing your experience
5. Poor resume formatting
6. Not networking enough
7. Applying to the wrong jobs

Recognizing what may be holding you back is not a failure—it gives you something specific to improve before your next application.

Have a question or want to share what your co-op search has been like? Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you, and your question or experience may inspire a future episode.

If this episode helped you, subscribe and share it with another engineering student who is searching for a co-op or internship.

Until next time—you’ve got this.

Looking for engineering co-op opportunities but not sure where to start?

Most students search Google, LinkedIn, or Indeed—and while those are good resources, they're only part of the picture. In this episode, I share a variety of places to find engineering co-ops, including several opportunities that many students overlook.

You'll learn how to search more strategically by using university career centers, company websites, professional engineering organizations, networking, career fairs, conferences, faculty connections, family and friends, and even cold outreach to companies that may not have a co-op posted.

I also share a real story about a student who stepped outside his comfort zone, reached out directly to engineering managers, and created an opportunity that wasn't publicly advertised.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Google, LinkedIn, and Indeed shouldn't be your only search tools.
• How to use your university's Career Center and Handshake more effectively.
• Why you should apply through company websites whenever possible.
• How professional engineering organizations can connect you with opportunities.
• Ways to leverage your professors, classmates, family, and professional network.
• Why career fairs and engineering events are some of the best places to meet employers.
• How cold calling or reaching out directly to engineering managers can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren't publicly posted.
• Why job shadowing can help you explore careers while building valuable connections.

This week's challenge:
Visit the career pages for the 20 companies on your target list. See if they're currently hiring co-op students, sign up for job alerts if they're available, and take notes on what you discover. Building a successful co-op search is about being proactive—not just waiting for the perfect job posting to appear.

Have a question or a story about your own co-op search? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at [email protected]. Your question or experience may be featured in a future episode.

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with another engineering student who's working toward landing their first co-op or internship.

Should you apply to as many engineering co-ops as possible?

Maybe—but not before you have a plan.

In this episode, we discuss why taking a strategic approach to your co-op search can lead to better results than simply sending out dozens of applications. You'll learn how to identify the type of engineering career you want, create a list of companies you're genuinely interested in, and build a job search strategy that fits your goals.

We also dive into one of the most important parts of the application process: your resume. I explain why every engineering student should maintain a comprehensive "base resume" and then tailor each resume to the specific job they're applying for. You'll also hear a real example of two students who took very different approaches to applying for co-ops—and the dramatically different results they experienced.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why having a career strategy matters before you start applying.
• Questions to ask yourself about your ideal engineering career.
• How to build a list of companies you'd love to work for.
• Why searching for companies is often more effective than searching for job postings.
• How to create and maintain a strong base resume.
• Why tailoring your resume to each job posting can significantly improve your chances of getting an interview.

Have a question or want to share your co-op search experience?

I'd love to hear from you! Send your story or questions to [email protected]. Your question may even be featured in a future episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with another engineering student who's preparing for their first co-op or internship.

Welcome to the very first episode of How to Get an Engineering Co-op!

In this introductory episode, you'll learn why this podcast was created, who it's for, and what you can expect in future episodes. I'll share my journey from engineering to working with engineering students and explain why so many talented students struggle to land co-ops—not because they lack ability, but because they don't fully understand the process.

If you're an engineering student looking to gain experience, build your career, and confidently pursue your first co-op or internship, you're in the right place.

Let's get started.