Internships and Co-Ops FAQ
Get the answers to many common questions about internships and co-ops through the IMSE Program.
Last Updated: 09/22/2025 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
Internships and Co-Ops
When can I go out on my internship or co-op?
You must complete two semesters and be in good academic standing before you can go on an internship or co-op.
Does IMSE help in finding internships or co-op opportunities?
Typically, you are responsible for finding your internship or co-op.
How do I obtain an internship or co-op?
Using NC State’s Career Development Center (CDC) resources is a good starting place.
How long should the internship or co-op last?
To complete a full, solid project paper, you must spend about seven months at your internship or co-op.
Can I do a part-time co-op?
Yes.
Can I do multiple co-ops?
Yes. You may have to do multiple co-ops to gain enough experience and knowledge to complete your research paper.
I’m a distance education student and work full-time. Can I use one of my projects at work as the basis for my internship or co-op research paper?
Yes, many of our DE students do this. The only caveat is that it must be a project that would make a suitable engineering project paper. We encourage you to reach out to the IMSE director to discuss the project scope to help determine if it is appropriate.
Can’t find your answer? Please contact our program coordinator, Bill Irwin wjirwin@ncsu.edu | 919.515.3808.
Internships and co-ops provide you with the chance to gain practical experience in solving engineering problems. Typically, you will spend the summer and the following semester, or about seven months, on your internship or co-op. During this time, you will work on an engineering problem that the IMSE faculty approves as an acceptable project. Finally, after finishing your co-op or internship, you must write and defend a technical report about your experience.