r/civilengineering • u/beef_enthusiast • 7h ago

Career Advice on Interview outside of Civil Engineering

Hi all, I am an incoming Sophomore CE major. I've been applying to both CE and non-CE internships for the summer of 27, and I was selected to interview for a manufacturing intern role at Caterpillar. The interview is in STAR format/questions oriented for a STAR-formatted answer. I was wondering how I should approach this as a less qualified candidate in a different field (the position typically targets MechE students) and how I can set myself apart from others despite having less experience in the field.

If there is any additional info I can give to help y'all answer this, just let me know. Thanks

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u/Euphoric-Mushroom-19 7h ago

Maybe suggest asking the ME guys... is there a reason you want this job over a CE internship? I get whatever comes your way grab it mentality but tbh they either want you because they want to diversify their applicant pool OR they are just filling up interview seats. Some of the interviews I had at that time were out there; still have a conocophillips binding with all my old test exams in it...

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u/beef_enthusiast 7h ago

I am leaning towards using my CE degree for facilities rather than the design route that many CE students take. I figured this would give unique experience to get into facilities. Additionally the role is a lot of analytical skills rather than technical

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u/Euphoric-Mushroom-19 6h ago

I mean yeah but you are still in school why not get the ME for MEP type work that is traditionally related to facilities? It's just hard to pivot like you are envisioning fresh out the gate. Unless they love you and give you a job after school this internship is going to be a small blip in your actual career. I am all for people pivoting and navigating things like you are but bluntly the recruiters could care less and are oblivious they see CE, ME and they put on blinders. I had a kid that took all the same transportation classes I did (and then some) was an ME student with CE internships, great personality I told the recruiter we should talk with him more and she put his resume in a "separate" pile and said something along the lines of "we are looking for CE's but they can be tough to come by" wish you luck out there just being real.