Internship: Focus on Electrical or Systems Engineerin?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the decision-making process for a junior electrical engineering major regarding internship opportunities. The participant is considering whether to focus exclusively on electrical/computer engineering internships or to also apply for systems engineering internships, with an eye toward future career goals, including pursuing an MBA.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the definition of systems engineering, seeking clarity on what it entails.
  • A later post provides a detailed description of a systems engineering internship, outlining required skills and responsibilities, which may help inform the original poster's decision.
  • Another participant suggests that the best approach is to pursue an internship where the original poster feels they can perform well and gain valuable insights, prompting reflection on their future career aspirations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on whether to focus solely on electrical engineering internships or to include systems engineering opportunities. There are differing views on the definition and scope of systems engineering, as well as the implications for the original poster's career path.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific definitions of systems engineering and does not clarify how the skills listed in the internship description relate to the original poster's background in electrical engineering.

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Internship: Focus on Electrical or Systems Engineerin?

Hi, I'm a junior EE major. I've had an internship last summer as a manufacturing engineering intern and I'll have one more summer left (between my Jr and Sr year) until I graduate. When finding internships for this summer, should I solely focus on electrical/computer engineering internships, or is it ok if I apply to systems engineering internships?

I don't know if this helps, but I do plan on working as an engineer for a few years then going to get my MBA.

Thanks for the help.
 
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What exactly do you mean by systems engineering?
 
This is a brief description taken off of a employer's website for a Systems Engineering Intern:

The successful candidate will: - Eligible for a Top Secret/SCI clearance. - Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of tools and Windows XP. - Be able to demonstrate the ability to: -- Participate in identifying technical issues. -- Become familiar with impacts within and external to the enterprise. -- Assist in identifying risks and develop risk mitigation plans. -- Assist in preparing requirements analysis reports. -- Assist in conducting trade studies. -- Help author request for change (RFC's) documents. -- Assist in evaluating alternatives. Desired Skills/Knowledge: -- Understanding of Business Process Re-Engineering -- Familiarity with Information Technology to include: --- Hardware --- Software --- WAN/LAN --- Crypto --- Voice/Video --- Transport Media --- OSI Model -- Understanding or ability to learn the Configuration Management boards process. -- Understanding or ability to learn enterprise level capabilities and segment level requirements hierachy. -- Understanding or willingness to learn documentation custodianship. -- Desire to earn PMI certification in Program or Project Management or INCOSE certification in Systems Engineering.
 
Well I would say the best course of action is to obtain an internship that you have the best chance of performing well in and gain valuable insight into that type of work. You may have to sit and ask yourself what kind of engineer do you wish to be after school?
 

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