As an engineering student, you’re well on your way to starting a highly coveted career. You’re an excellent problem-solver and you know how to think outside the box, allowing you to tackle complex engineering projects.
You’re no stranger to AutoCAD and you’ve studied your fair share of blueprints, but your on-the-job experience might still be limited. That’s why writing a great cover letter and an effective resume might seem daunting, but don’t worry—we’re here to help.
Check out our engineering student resume examples and tips. Select one of our professional resume templates and help jumpstart your career!
Related resume examples
What Matters Most: Your Knowledge of Engineering & Personal Projects
Even though you’re still in college, you’ve already had the chance to hone your skills and learn the foundations of engineering. From prototyping to structural analysis and material science, you’re prepared to tackle your first engineering projects in a professional setting.
You’re not just well-versed in theory crafting, though. You’ve spent countless hours mastering various engineering software, be it SolidWorks or ANSYS. You may have even dipped your toes in programming, using Python to implement machine learning algorithms.
What do all of those job skills have in common? That’s right—they’re all highly technical, which is what you should focus on in your resume. Talk about the software and platforms you’re familiar with, such as Matlab, but also engineering-specific knowledge like thermodynamics.
9 best engineering student skills
- ANSYS
- SolidWorks
- AutoCAD
- Python
- Electrical Systems
- Matlab
- Revit
- LabVIEW
- Robotics
Sample engineering student work experience bullet points
You’re still a student, so this part of your resume might seem intimidating. Seeing this section, you might be asking yourself, “Work experience? What work experience?”
If that’s you, trust us—you have much more work experience than you might think. Employers don’t expect current students to have a robust background in engineering. Instead, it’s more important that you highlight your projects, internships, and coursework that you’ve participated in during college.
Don’t just mention your projects by name, though. Instead, get specific and add metrics that show the outcomes you were able to achieve. For example, talk about how you developed a Matlab simulation that accurately predicted structural stress with 98% accuracy.
Here are a few ideas for your resume:
- Designed an energy monitoring interface using Python, allowing real-time tracking of energy consumption, reducing wastage by 27%
- Utilized AutoCAD to create schematics for sensor placement and optimize the smart home layout, which enhanced energy efficiency by 32%
- Created 3D models of mechanical parts for a research project, improving design accuracy and efficiency by 30% with SolidWorks
- Led a team of 5 in designing a solar-powered vehicle using SolidWorks, achieving a top 3 finish in a national competition
Top 5 Tips for Your Engineering Student Resume
- Show off your technical skills
- You may not have much professional experience, but your technical skills are nothing to turn your nose up at. Highlight them to impress recruiters, including platforms like Matlab and GitHub, engineering principles such as electrical grids or robotics, and relevant software like Simulink.
- Update your resume
- Internships and entry-level roles are highly competitive in the engineering field. To stand out, study the job description for each role and adjust your resume to match it as closely as possible.
- Include a career objective
- You’re an engineering student, so don’t be afraid to dream big! Employers often appreciate seeing career objectives in entry-level resumes, giving them a glimpse into the career path you’re planning for. And make sure to mention the company you’re applying to by name.
- Hands-on experience is crucial
- You’ve already worked on engineering projects, be it as part of your coursework, extracurriculars, or passion projects. Mention this hands-on experience to elevate your resume, such as discussing a robotics project where you programmed the robot using Python.
- Go the extra mile
- Engineering requires a lot of study, but if you’ve found the time to learn more outside of college, include this in your resume. Talk about workshops, seminars, and courses, especially those involving emerging technologies like machine learning or IoT.
It’s better to focus on your technical skills, such as LabVIEW or 3D printing, in your engineering student resume. Your soft skills will get their time in the spotlight during the interview.
Adding a personal website or a GitHub repository can give recruiters a better idea of how you’ve put your skills to good use. Include any and all projects you’ve worked on, and mention the specific technologies you leveraged to complete them.
If your resume is looking a little bit bare, it doesn’t hurt to add some hobbies & interests! Try to make them relevant to the job, though, such as PC building, programming, or robotics.
