Who Can Participate?

• Students at all academic levels (BS-PhD) complete a variety of internship/technical experiences.
• Data collected by the Career Center suggests undergraduate students complete internships more often than graduate students.
  • Why? Graduate students are often already committed to some kind of work experience or research as part of their academics. 
• For undergraduate students, most internships are completed during the sophomore and junior years.
  • Why? While some first-year students will complete internships, most first-year students are still developing the essential base knowledge and skills and do not yet have the academic exposure to concepts needed in their field for an internship. 

What is an Internship?

• An internship is a temporary position, typically held by students or, in very special circumstances, recent graduates, where individuals gain practical experience in a specific field or industry.
• Internships provide an opportunity to learn on the job, develop skills, and build professional networks, often serving as a stepping stone to full-time employment.
• Paid Internships: Many internships are paid opportunities, allowing you to earn while gaining valuable experience. For students graduating in the 2023-2024 academic year, the average hourly salaries reported ranged from $15 per hour to $62.50 per hour, with an average of $25 per hour.

Where Can You Intern?

• Mines students complete internships all over the country and the world.
• Most students choose to stay local to Colorado; however, internships are an amazing opportunity to explore new places.
• Students have the option to work in various work sectors, such as private industry, research and academia, or public sector/government.
• International students may be eligible for internship work in the US but will need to speak with ISSS to confirm steps and eligibility.

When Should You Apply for Internships?

• Most internships occur over the summer, allowing students to dedicate time to the experience without the pressure of coursework.
• Mines students often complete multiple internships in between academic years.

Internship Timeline

• Summer internships typically start in May or June and can range from 6-12 weeks.
• Many companies recruit early—for example, Fall Career Days are often when companies start recruiting for summer internships.

Technical Skills: Building Expertise for Your Career

Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and abilities required to perform specific tasks in your field. These skills often involve the use of tools, software, or methodologies that are directly related to your area of study or intended career. For example, if you’re studying computer science, programming languages like Python or Java are considered technical skills. If you’re pursuing a career in engineering, skills like CAD design or data analysis might be part of your technical toolkit.

Mastering technical skills is essential for succeeding in your career, as they enable you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Building a strong technical foundation will not only make you more competitive in the job market but also prepare you for the challenges you’ll face in your future role.

Reflection Guide to grow your technical skills:

1. List the technical skill
   • Ex: “I want to deepen my knowledge in relevant languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++, JavaScript)”
2. List 1-2 ways to work on that skill
   • Use platforms like LeetCode, CodeSignal, or HackerRank for coding practice.
   • Try building a small project or contribute to open-source repositories.
3. Set a timeline – For each skill (Technical and Professional), include a clear timeframe for development (e.g., “0-3 months”, “Ongoing”, “Complete in 2 semesters”)
   • Specific: 
     • Practice coding challenges on LeetCode for 1-2 hours/week.
     • Contribute to open-source projects for 2 hours/month.
   • General:
     • Aim for basic proficiency in 2 months; continue learning with more advanced projects for 6+ months.

Professional Skills: Building Career Readiness

Professional skills refer to the abilities, qualities, and expertise that are essential for success in any workplace. These skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, are not only critical for your day-to-day tasks but also help you grow and thrive in your career. Unlike technical skills, which are specific to a field, professional skills are transferable across industries and roles. Developing these skills will help you build a strong foundation for your career, increase your employability, and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities you’ll encounter in the professional world.

Reflection Guide to grow your professional skills:

1. List the professional skill
   • Ex: “I want to improve my written and oral communication skills.”
2. List 1-2 ways to work on that skill
   • Use LinkedIn to network with recent alumni of Mines for informational interviews.
   • Attend an industry or networking event (virtual or in-person).
3. Set a timeline – For each skill (Technical and Professional), include a clear timeframe for development (e.g., “0-3 months”, “Ongoing”, “Complete in 2 semesters”)
   • Specific: 
     • Network with Mines alumni on LinkedIn for informational interviews (1-2 interviews per month).
     • Attend at least 2 industry panels or networking events per semester to practice talking to professionals and presenting myself.
   • General:
     • Build confidence in the first 2-3 months; refine my skills and approach each event and increase my written and oral communications.