Career Resources for Undergraduates

Every year, hundreds of employers from organizations across the country connect with technical Cornell Engineers as part of our campus recruiting program. For Fall 2021, recruiting will be mostly virtual. To identify talented students to fill internship, co-op, and full-time positions, employers participate in career fairs, host information sessions, and conduct thousands of interviews. This fall, all this will still happen- mostly virtually. Employers interested in recruiting Cornell engineers also post their jobs in the university's Handshake database.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

For Fall 2021, career fairs will be held virtually. Participating in career fairs is one way for you to connect with employers to learn more about the organization, and the qualities and skills they seek in candidates. It's also an opportunity for you to express your interest in an organization, highlight your relevant experiences, and potentially secure an interview. For those who are just getting started in the career search process, participating in a career fair is a great way to explore industries and organizations, and start building your professional network.  

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

As an engineering student, you have many career options! We encourage a developmental process in which you learn more about yourself and explore options to develop your focus, and then take action to pursue opportunities. After you review the Exploration module, schedule a meeting with a career advisor to discuss your interests. In addition, our office offers a for-credit career development course called ENGRG 2350.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

We advertise career-related workshops and events in Handshake, our online career platform where employers also post internships and full-time positions. The Job Search module covers how to use Handshake and the Virtual Career Events module specifically includes information about career fairs and other events.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

A successful job search involves using a variety of resources and strategies and understanding typical recruiting timelines. Cornell Engineering students secure positions by participating in on-campus recruiting (OCR) activities, applying for opportunities posted in Handshake and on company websites, and networking with employers, alumni, and people in their field of interest. In addition to the resources in the Job Search module, you may also consider these technical resources and opportunities. 

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

Congratulations! You just received an internship or job offer (or you're getting close!). There are many factors to consider, and this module is designed to help you think through the process of considering and accepting an offer to ensure it's a good option for you. This will help you avoid making a hasty decision and learn some best practices. In the Job Offers and Negotiations Module, you will:

• Gain an understanding of the job-offer landscape.
• Revisit your personal salary needs.
• Identify the stages of negotiation.
• Learn best practices for communicating whether you accept or decline an offer.
• Consider the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

You may have personal or social identities that generate unique questions for you about your career development and job search.  The Job Search module includes additional information and resources for you to consider.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

For international students seeking to work in the United States, it is important to start planning early. Be sure to understand the work authorization regulations related to your visa by attending information sessions offered by the Office of Global Learning. 

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

Wondering what you should expect in an interview and how best to prepare? The Interviewing module includes information on interview structures and formats, questions, case and technical interview preparation, professional attire, and more. Our office offers practice interviews to help you prepare to shine in an interview.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

Preparing a résumé and crafting effective professional correspondence are fundamental career skills to develop. The Résumés and Letters modules provide resources and information to get you started. Additional professional correspondence resources for Engineers can be found here. Once you’ve drafted your résumés or cover letter, our office can review it with you. 

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

Networking is the single most effective method of gathering career-related information, developing contacts within an industry, and uncovering the hidden job market. The ability to identify and connect with those working in your field of interest is an essential skill in the career search process. To successfully grow your professional network through conversations with others, you must prepare and develop a plan. The Networking module includes information on using platforms such as LinkedIn and CU-Elinks to make career connections.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.

Here are some funding resources*, including research and internship opportunities:

• Experience.cornell.edu: Use the search feature to find information about research opportunities, travel grants, and scholarships that are directed by or affiliated with Cornell.
• Andrew Kohut Fellowship: The fellowship is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Kohut Fellows conduct public opinion-focused research and use data from the Roper Archives, and will receive a $4,000 stipend for the summer. Application deadline is March 12, 2021.
• Arts & Sciences Summer Experience Grant: Provides funding for unpaid or minimally paid summer research or internship opportunities. Students must be enrolled, matriculated, and in good academic standing. Applications open on March 15, 2021, and are accepted on a rolling basis.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Offers summer internships throughout New York State. Application deadline is March 11, 2021.
• Tompkins County Association: Offers opportunities for students who want to spend the summer in the Ithaca area.
• *Cornell in Hollywood: Offers film industry internships for Cornell students. Open to all majors. Students arrange a faculty sponsor, who will receive a performance evaluation of the student’s internship and will assign a grade and credit. *CiH program is currently on hold for 2021 – check the website for updates. (This page updated on February 25, 2021)
• CALS Undergraduate Student Grants: Funding is available to undergraduate students for research expenses, including travel to a professional meeting or conference to present findings. Students must work with faculty members to develop scientifically relevant and well-circumscribed research proposals. Application deadline for Summer 2021 grants is March 14, 2021, at 3pm.
• *Cornell Biological Field Station (CBFS): Through research, interns contribute to the improved management of forest-based natural resources. The program is open to all undergraduate students. Interns are expected to enroll in three credit hours of independent studies in the fall semester to complete their summer research/extension project and a final paper, and participate in the undergraduate research symposium. *Applications for Summer 2021internship program are currently on hold due to uncertainty of COVID restrictions. Check the website for updates. (This page updated on February 25, 2021)
• Dean of Students Access Fund: The goal of this fund is to provide enrolled full-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional Cornell students with access to financial support, up to $500, to help mitigate on-campus barriers, access basic necessities, and cover emergency expenses not covered through financial aid or other university resources. Access Fund applications open until May 2021.
• Engineering Learning Initiatives: Open to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering or Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE). Funding is available for academic terms as well as summer to support research. Students and faculty identify one another to prepare and submit a research proposal for funding. Students are expected to submit a final report and participate in an oral or poster presentation.
• Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship: The program invites recent alumni to apply for fellowships in Washington, DC. Selected individuals will work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues.
• *Cornell's Shoals Marine Laboratory: Offers unique opportunities for students to experience marine science through summer research internships. Provides room and board, stipend, and round-trip boat transportation. The research internships are on Appledore Island, in the Gulf of Maine. Open to all undergraduate students. *Applications for summer 2021 are backfilled from 2020; students are encouraged to check back and apply for summer 2022 opportunities.
• Student Assembly Summer Experience Grant: The Student Assembly Summer Experience Grant (SEG) aids students to complete summer unpaid or minimally paid career-related experiences. Open to all undergraduate students. Summer 2021 grant applications open on March 15, 2021.
• Cornell's Urban Semester Program: Offers an option for an eight-week summer program in New York City that includes four-day internships plus seminars in multicultural and professional practice once each week. This is open to Cornell junior and senior undergraduate students from any college.

*As deadlines may change, always check the program's page directly for the most up-to-date information.

A portfolio is a way to display examples of your work and showcase your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. It is also a great way to show your approach to a problem or your thought process. Some employers will require a portfolio as part of their application. There are many methods for creating a portfolio, and the Portfolios and Work Samples module in the Career Development Toolkit describes your many options.

Enroll in the Career Development Toolkit at the link at the top of the page.