Summer Internship-for-Credit Program

The Summer Internship-for-Credit Program provides mechanical engineering students with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning academic credit. The department works with partner companies in the start-up, small business, and non-profit worlds. Students apply through a competitive process, with each company selecting their own interns. 

Partner Companies

Host companies welcome an engineering intern to their team.

Program Overview

  • Prospective partner companies submit a proposal outlining their plan for providing their intern with meaningful, degree relevant work and high quality mentorship. Proposals for summer 2024 will be accepted on a rolling basis starting in January.
  • Mechanical engineering interns work full-time for 8-10 weeks over the summer. Program dates for 2024 are June 3 - August 9.
  • Intern financial support is fully provided by the program. Interns receive 3 academic credits, a scholarship to cover the cost of those credits, and a $4,000 stipend.  
  • Students apply through a centralized process. Partner companies interview applicants and select their top choice candidates.

Partner Company Selection

  • The program is open to start-ups, non-profits and small businesses. Preference is given to companies whose work aligns with the department's commitment to launching innovative technologies, educating creative engineers, and making a positive impact in areas including human health and environmental sustainability.
  • Proposed projects and work responsibilities should be a strong fit for a mechanical engineering student. Past interns have contributed to work in areas including prototyping, materials sourcing, manufacturing, testing/data analysis, computer aided design and educational resource development.
  • Supervision and mentorship should be provided by an engineer or technical lead. The supervisor should be excited to work with a new engineer and have enough availability during the intern's work hours to be able to check-in and communicate with them consistently. 
  • Internships may be fully in-person or hybrid.  

Apply to Host an Intern

Update as of 3/27/24: We have completed host company recruitment for summer 2024. Please feel free to reach out to katherine.mcconnell@colorado.edu with questions or to be added to our contact list for future years.

Students gain valuable experience in a small team environment.

Program Structure

  • Apply for multiple internship opportunities through a centralized process. Application details for 2024 will be posted in March.
  • Join the team at a start-up, non-profit or small company that's doing interesting, impactful work. Depending on the company structure, interns may work directly with the company founder or with a small team of engineers or designers.
  • Challenge yourself to take on new engineering projects in a real-world setting. Learn how processes like consumer research, prototyping, materials sourcing and product testing work outside the classroom.
  • Earn 3 credits of of General Technical Elective through enrollment in COEN 3930. All students accepted into the program will receive a scholarship to fully cover the cost of enrolling in COEN 3930 along with a $4,000 stipend.

Student Eligibility

  • Applicants must be current students in the Bachelor of Science program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder and remain currently enrolled degree seeking students throughout the internship.  
  • Students graduating in August are welcome to apply. Students transitioning between the BS and MS components of the BAM degree are also welcome to apply, but would need to delay their official BS graduation date until August.
  • Minimum cumulative CU Boulder GPA of 2.75. Priority is given to students going into their junior year or above.
  • Only one internship-for-credit experience can be completed per student.
  • International students eligible for Curricular Practical Training are welcome to apply.

Please reach out to katherine.mcconnell@colorado.edu for more information.  

Internship Program in Action