Internships and Co-ops

Undergraduates typically complete a summer internship or longer co-op experience to prepare for full-time careers or graduate school.

Undergraduate internships

Internships are around 12-weeks long and take place during summer months after your sophomore or junior years. Work with your chemical engineering advisor to talk about internship options. The Engineering Career Center has several job and internship resources available, too.

Why complete an internship?

  • Gain first-hand experience in the industry
  • Develop skills independently and among a team
  • Start forming your network and making connections
  • Learn from people outside of your immediate peers and professors
  • Begin to put your classroom and lab techniques into practice
  • Make yourself a competitive candidate when searching for full-time positions
  • Help define your career focus and fill gaps with electives

Engineering Co-op program

The College of Engineering offers a Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) to advance your professional Development to convert classroom knowledge to practice and improve engineering skills to enhance future coursework. Co-ops are longer than internships—28 weeks—and involve working full time during the fall semester of your junior year and then again the summer before your senior year with the same employer. 

Interested in Co-op?

Complete a Request to Participate in Co-op form by sending a message to engr_coop@cornell.edu, include your school year, major, and whether you currently have a co-op offer or are exploring co-op as an option. Arrange a meeting with your Undergraduate Student Services Coordinator to discuss your academic plans.

ChemE Major program participants typically enter a Co-op in the fall of their junior year. Please note, due to the lack of prerequisites for the 6th semester and beyond a voluntary leave is required and will result in a delayed graduation. After a student has been accepted into the Co-op program, they may request a voluntary leave and rejoin their 5th semester the following fall to resume their degree track.

For more details, scroll down to Frequently asked Co-op Questions.