Engineering

• Research Engineer
• Consulting
• Design Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Processing Engineer
• Engineering Sales
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Automation Engineer
• Controls Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• DevOps Engineer

Majors

• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Eng.
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Eng.
• Material Science

Minors & Certificates

• Mathematics Minor
• Physics Minor
• Global Studies Certificate
• Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship Certificate

Sample disciplines early – Try intro courses to see what fits.

Join hands-on clubs – Robotics, SAE, or maker spaces are great for skill-building and exploration.

Attend lab tours and industry site visits – These offer direct exposure to engineering applications and can spark career ideas.

Explore internships at startups and research labs – Smaller teams often offer broader experience for early learners.

Consider interdisciplinary electives – Pair engineering with sustainability, data science, or design thinking for innovation pathways.

Learn basic coding early – Even non-CS engineers benefit from Python or MATLAB skills.

• Co-ops
• Biomedical/Medical Device internships
• Sales/Consulting Internships
• Manufacturing/Plant internships
• Design Engineering Internships
• Military service
• Water Quality Engineering Internship
• Geotechnical Engineering Internship
• Williams
  Robotics
• Deloitte
• PennDOT
• Norfolk Southern

• Engineers Without Borders
• Big Idea Center /Innovation Institute

Clubs

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Engineers for a Sustainable World (Epsilon Eta)
• ASM International (Material Science)

Join the First-Year Engineering Program – Pitt’s program lets you explore all engineering disciplines.

Attend Engineering Pitt EXPO – Annual showcase for connecting with student projects, faculty, and companies.

Participate in the Makerspace or Swanson Innovation Challenge – Hands-on design and innovation experiences.

Explore Pitt’s Co-Op Program – Learn about rotational work options as early as freshman year.

Shadow Engineers – Leverage the Career Center’s job shadowing days and employer site visits.

Take ENGR 0011/0012 – Engineering Analysis & Engineering Computing courses introduce core tools.

• Faculty & Research Advisors
• Peer Mentors from FIRST Programs or Engineering Living Learning Communities
• Engineering Co-Op & Internship Coordinators
• Alumni in technical roles (via Pitt Commons & LinkedIn)
• Student leaders in engineering orgs
• Employers at Pitt Engineering Career Fair and Pitt EXPO
• Attend Swanson School Networking Nights – Engage with recruiters and alumni in an informal setting.
• Join technical societies early – These often host guest speakers, panels, and company visits.
• Use Career Center’s Handshake platform – Look up upcoming employer info sessions and shadowing events.
• Pitt Chapter for Professional Organizations
• Internship and Career Fairs
• Department and Conference sessions, symposia and poster sessions

• Learn about career pathways early – Networking reveals the variety of specializations beyond the classroom (e.g., AI, manufacturing, renewable energy).
• Gain access to internships and co-ops – Referrals from upperclass students, alumni, or faculty can help you land early opportunities.
• Get feedback on projects or portfolios – Peers, mentors, or industry professionals can help you refine technical skills and communication.
• Discover what companies really want – Talking with recruiters and recent grads helps you align your coursework and experiences with hiring trends.
• Find mentors for long-term growth – A mentor can guide your course choices, research involvement, and professional identity.
• Join engineering research or design teams – Many students are invited to projects through informal conversations with faculty or student leaders.

Join national societies (e.g., NSBE, SWE, SHPE) – These offer mentorship, conferences, and scholarships.

Attend engineering career fairs and expos – Early attendance builds confidence and informs your goals.

Network with faculty and grad students – Ask about their career paths, research, and advice.

Participate in team competitions – Hackathons or design challenges create peer and industry connections.

Find an alumni mentor – Look for engineers from your school working in fields that interest you.

Use LinkedIn to explore job titles and companies – Helps visualize where your degree can lead.

• Engineering.com
• Engineer-Jobs
• Engineer500
• Engineering Jobs
• Nationjob.com/engineering
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• Engineering: Bureau of Labor Statistics
• American Council of Engineering Companies
• Interesting Engineering
• Engineering Central
• Engineering Services Network
• IhireEngineering  

• Network with Alumni and Grad Students in your field
• Connect with Professors Involved in Industry-Sponsored Research
• Cold Email Small Firms or Startups with a Targeted Pitch
• Pursue Capstone or Independent Projects with External Partners
• Present at or Volunteer for Research & Innovation Events
• Use ChatGPT to search for Industry Partners and Pharma companies in targe geographic locations

Intern early and often – Apply even after your first year; employers value persistence and initiative.

Document all projects and skills – Build a portfolio or GitHub of classwork, side projects, and internships.

Get certified in key software – Learn SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Python—extra credentials can set you apart.

Pursue research with real applications – Industry-sponsored capstones or prototyping can impress employers.

Join co-op or summer research programs (REUs) – Gain deep work experience while building your resume.

Polish your technical resume and LinkedIn – Engineers benefit from clear, skill-focused profiles.