Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science

ewx

Engineering Work Experience (EWX)

The Engineering Work Experience (EWX) Program offers structured internships for undergraduate students in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), Mechanical Engineering (MME), and Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE). Gain valuable work experience at Portland-area engineering and technology companies during the summer before your senior year, with the possibility of continuing part-time or full-time through your senior year.

Academic Standing: You need to have junior standing, meaning you're an undergraduate student accepted into your major's upper division.

  • ECE: By spring term, you must be enrolled in or have completed ECE 371, 321, or 331.
  • MME: By spring term, you must be enrolled in or have completed either ME 313 (part of the ME 313, ME 314, ME 350, ME 351 sequence) or ME 320 (part of the ME 320, ME 321, ME 322, ME 350 sequence).
  • CEE: By spring term, you must be enrolled in or have completed CE 315, CE 351, CE 324, CE 321, and CE 362.
  • ENVE: By spring term, you must be enrolled in or have completed CE 315, CE 362, CE 364, or CE 371.

Graduation Date: Your expected graduation date must be no earlier than December 2026.

International Students: You must be eligible to work in the United States. Be aware that some companies may have additional restrictions.

Responsibilities:

  • Apply what you have learned in class, learn new things, and enjoy the challenges
  • Represent yourself and PSU professionally
  • Know when to ask for help
  • Provide status to PSU upon conclusion of the internship -or- after 12 weeks, whichever comes first
  • Participate in exit survey at internship conclusion

Note: If you are accepted into MECOP, it does not make sense to apply to EWX

Application Materials

Resume: Submit a single-page PDF named "LAST FIRST RESUME.PDF". This will be a general resume for the program's interview selection process.

Cover Letter: Explain why you're a strong candidate for this type of internship. Include your discipline, student ID, overall GPA, and expected graduation date. Name the file "LAST FIRST COVER.PDF" and do not address it to a specific employer.

Internship Preparation

  • Attend workshops (resume writing, interviews, job preparedness)
  • Consultation with Frank Goovaerts
  • Attend interview day

December 8  Employer applications due.  

December 12  Employers notified of admission status

December 15 Employer position descriptions due

January 16 Student applications due

January 23 Student acceptance decisions given

January 30  Interview day (MME/ ECE)

February 6 Interview day (CEE)

b Student placement decision

Employers must have at least one open position to participate in the program, and must provide a position description by the deadline. The position must pay $25/hour or more, be 12 or more weeks in duration, and include at least 30 hours/week of work during the summer. An employer representative with authority to make a hiring decision must attend the interviews for each position, and up to two representatives may attend the interview. The employer must make offers to the students within 2 weeks of the interview day. If interviewed students are not sufficiently qualified, the employer may choose to not fill the position. The employer also has no obligation to continue offering employment after the summer. Employers are expected to share information with PSU staff about offers made, student strengths/weaknesses, and feedback about the program. Register here.

Apply here

PSU commits to only partnering with companies that maintain a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect – one that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, and other inappropriate conduct, whether physical, verbal, written, or visual. PSU and the companies PSU partners with will not engage in any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying.