Best schools for recruiting science and engineering students for internships and recent grads for early career jobs

When you’re recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early career science/engineering jobs, which are your favorite schools and why? Here is what seven thought leaders have to say.

• Stanford and UCLA: Innovative Engineers
• Imperial and Surrey: Practical Problem-Solvers
• Virginia Tech: Interdisciplinary and Industry-Connected
• Imperial College: Multidisciplinary Research Excellence
• Ohio Schools: Comprehensive Engineering Education
• Purdue University: Diverse Engineering Expertise
• Caltech: Personalized Interdisciplinary Education

Stanford and UCLA: Innovative Engineers

When recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early-career engineering jobs, my favorite schools to recruit from are Stanford and the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA has a strong engineering program that emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application. 

The graduates from UCLA come with a solid understanding of digital and analog technologies, which is crucial for the advanced servo drives and motor controllers we develop at Advanced Motion Controls.

Stanford, with its comprehensive engineering curriculum and focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, produces graduates who are not only technically proficient but also adept at thinking creatively and entrepreneurially. 

This is essential for our work across various industries, from robotics to medical healthcare. Both schools provide a steady stream of highly skilled and innovative engineers who can contribute significantly to our cutting-edge projects and help us maintain our competitive edge in the market.

Rene Ymzon, Engineer and Marketing Manager, Advanced Motion Controls

Imperial and Surrey: Practical Problem-Solvers

Rowlen Boiler Services has a knack for finding exceptional talent from universities like Imperial College London and the University of Surrey. Both institutions produce graduates with a strong foundation in engineering and a practical mindset. 

Their focus on real-world applications aligns perfectly with our need for innovative problem-solvers in the heating and plumbing industry. This blend of academic excellence and hands-on experience sets their graduates apart.

Lara Woodham, Director, Rowlen Boiler Services

Virginia Tech: Interdisciplinary and Industry-Connected

Virginia Tech is my top pick when recruiting students for internships or early-career positions in science and engineering. The school has established itself as a leader in science and engineering education, known for its highly competitive engineering teams and history of academic excellence. 

Our interviews with students highlight its reputation as one of the friendliest campuses around. Despite its picturesque location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Tech has robust connections with major employers like Lockheed Martin, Amazon, and GM, providing students with excellent career opportunities upon graduation.

What really sets Virginia Tech apart is its innovative approach to education, particularly through its Academy of Integrated Science. This initiative offers hands-on, interdisciplinary classes that foster both collaborative and critical-thinking skills, enriched with real research experiences. 

It’s almost as if tech employers designed the curriculum themselves to create the ideal graduate. The combination of top-tier education, strong industry connections, and a focus on practical skills makes Virginia Tech a go-to source for fresh talent.

Rizki Kadir, Automotive Writer and Software Engineer, Our Own Cars

Imperial College: Multidisciplinary Research Excellence

When it comes to recruiting science and engineering graduates, I highly recommend the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. It’s consistently ranked among the top engineering schools globally, and for good reason.

The reason I prefer to hire graduates from Imperial is that it is a leader in both education and engineering research, fostering the next generation of talent with cutting-edge developments in the field. Students at Imperial engage in multidisciplinary projects under the guidance of some of the world’s most respected scholars and researchers.

The variety of disciplines available in the Faculty of Engineering is impressive. From Aeronautics and Bioengineering to Chemical Engineering, and from Civil and Environmental Engineering to Computing and Design Engineering—the options are extensive. Not to mention Earth Science and Engineering, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering.

Imperial places a strong emphasis on pioneering research that addresses global challenges, such as advanced manufacturing and security systems. Their engineering students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a space engineering lab, a hydrodynamic flume, a wind tunnel, and a flight simulator. Design engineering students benefit immensely from being part of the Dyson School of Design Engineering, which was established with a generous donation from the James Dyson Foundation in 2014.

Amy Tribe, Director, OGLF (Our Good Living Formula)

Ohio Schools: Comprehensive Engineering Education

Ohio Northern University and Ohio University are two of my favorite schools for recruiting students for internships and early-career roles in science and engineering.

Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio—about 75 miles southeast of Columbus—is a comprehensive public university. It hosts over 16,250 undergraduates and maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, offering more than 250 areas of study, including Aviation Flight Technology, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. 

Students at Ohio University benefit from the Honors Program, which includes co-curricular research and leadership opportunities, first-year student learning communities, and a range of student clubs like the Athens Astronomical Society and Biomedical Engineering Society.

Ohio Northern University, situated in Ada, Ohio, is a private Methodist comprehensive university. It has a student body of 3,116 from all 50 states and 15 countries, with an average class size of 19 and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The university offers rigorous academic programs that provide a strong foundation in engineering principles. 

Students can choose from majors such as Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Education, and Mechanical Engineering, or opt for the flexible Engineering Exploratory program. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful start in their careers.

Renato Fernandes, Clinical Nutritionist, Saude Pulso

Purdue University: Diverse Engineering Expertise

When it comes to hiring science and engineering graduates, Purdue University is a standout choice for us. Purdue is well-known for its rigorous engineering programs and its dedication to excellence in both education and research at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The reason this school is excellent for recruiting fresh grads is the diversity and breadth of its engineering specialties. Purdue’s College of Engineering covers everything from aeronautics and agricultural engineering to environmental, mechanical, and nuclear engineering. 

Additionally, their commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship through initiatives like Purdue Innovates is particularly impressive. This program helps students and faculty transform their research and innovative ideas into practical, real-world solutions, which bolsters Purdue’s reputation as a top institution for engineering education and research.

Sam Hickson, CEO, TG Wireless

Caltech: Personalized Interdisciplinary Education

I highly recommend the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as one of the top schools for hiring early-career science and engineering graduates.

From my experience, the Division of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) at Caltech promotes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that spans various fields, including aerospace, medical engineering, electrical engineering, and materials science. Students have the opportunity to engage in diverse degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels and take part in enriching research, seminars, and social activities. 

The advantage of small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio at Caltech means a more personalized learning environment, allowing for strong relationships between students and professors. With a total student body of around 2,500 and its status as a highly selective institution, Caltech stands out as a prime source of talented, well-prepared graduates.

Arturo Gutierrez, Director of Merchandising, Todays Wholesale Closeout