Computer Engineering Internship

Course Description

CET2942 – Computer Engineering Internship is a supervised, field-based experience within the Engineering Technologies > Computer Engineering Technology taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course places students in a computer engineering technology-related work environment where they apply technical skills and professional knowledge acquired throughout their program of study. Students work under the joint supervision of an industry employer and a college faculty coordinator, gaining direct exposure to real-world hardware, software, and systems engineering practices.

The internship is typically completed in the final semester of the program and requires students to secure and maintain an approved, major-related placement. The course is graded on a Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) basis. No formal classroom meeting time is required; instead, students fulfill academic obligations through periodic assignments, logs, and reports submitted through the college's learning management system (e.g., Canvas).

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply computer engineering technology knowledge and technical skills in an authentic industry or organizational setting.
• Demonstrate professional workplace attitudes, behaviors, and ethical responsibility appropriate to the Information Technology and computer engineering field.
• Maintain accurate, detailed weekly activity logs documenting internship tasks, skills used, and professional observations.
• Produce a comprehensive internship experience paper or final reflection report summarizing learning, challenges, and professional growth achieved during the placement.
• Fulfill a minimum number of approved work hours (typically 135–150 hours per semester) in a major-related internship position.
• Obtain a satisfactory written performance evaluation completed and signed by the industry site supervisor.
• Identify and articulate connections between academic coursework and workplace tasks and responsibilities.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on the specific internship site and college section, students may also:

• Complete professional development modules addressing resume writing, workplace communication, and career planning.
• Deliver an oral or written presentation summarizing the internship experience to faculty, peers, or advisory board members.
• Develop or contribute to a technical project, prototype, or deliverable within the host organization.
• Participate in team-based engineering or IT projects, demonstrating collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Reflect on professional licensing, certification pathways, or graduate education opportunities relevant to computer engineering technology.
• Navigate international student practical training requirements (CPT/OPT) where applicable.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Internship Orientation and Site Approval – Understanding program requirements, completing mandatory orientation, submitting employer agreements and offer letters, and obtaining faculty/program approval prior to beginning the placement.
• Weekly Activity Logging – Systematic documentation of daily/weekly work activities, skills exercised, hours worked, and professional interactions throughout the semester.
• Professional and Ethical Conduct in the Workplace – Workplace norms, professional responsibility, confidentiality, intellectual property awareness, and ethical decision-making in computing and engineering environments.
• Employer and Student Evaluations – Completion of mid-term and/or end-of-semester evaluation instruments by both the industry supervisor and the student, assessing performance against established internship learning goals.
• Internship Experience Paper / Final Reflection – A written synthesis of the internship experience connecting academic preparation to workplace application, challenges encountered, and professional growth achieved.
• Application of Computer Engineering Technology Skills – Practical performance of tasks in areas such as hardware/software integration, digital systems, embedded systems, networking, or software development as assigned by the host employer.

Optional Topics

• Professional Development Modules – Online or asynchronous modules covering career readiness topics such as interview skills, LinkedIn profile development, technical communication, and job search strategies.
• Technical Project Contribution – Participation in a defined engineering or IT project at the host site, potentially including design, testing, documentation, or deployment tasks.
• Industry Sector Overview – Exploration of the host organization's industry sector (e.g., aerospace, defense, healthcare IT, manufacturing automation, cybersecurity), business operations, and technology stack.
• Networking and Career Pathways – Informational interviews, job shadowing of senior engineers or IT professionals, and identification of advancement pathways within the organization or industry.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Compliance – For international students, completion of required CPT authorization documentation in coordination with the college's international student services office.

Resources & Tools

• Learning Management System (LMS) – Canvas or equivalent platform used for submitting weekly logs, assignments, and final reports.
• Handshake – Platform commonly used across Florida colleges and universities for internship posting, experience form submission, and employer verification.
• Internship Agreement / Learning Plan – Tri-party document signed by the student, employer, and faculty coordinator establishing goals and expectations.
• Weekly Activity Log Forms – Standardized templates provided by the college's internship or career services office.
• Employer Evaluation Form – End-of-term performance appraisal form completed and signed by the industry supervisor.
• Student Work Site Review Form – Self-assessment instrument completed by the student evaluating the quality and relevance of the internship experience.
• Florida College System Career Services Resources – Resume review, mock interviews, and job placement support offered through the host college's career center.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of CET2942 prepares students for entry-level employment and strengthens candidacy for positions in computer engineering technology and related fields. Common career outcomes include:

• Computer Hardware Technician / Engineer Technologist
• Embedded Systems Technician
• IT Systems Technician / Network Technician
• Software QA / Test Technician
• Electronics Engineering Technologist
• Digital Systems Support Specialist
• Automation and Controls Technician
• Cybersecurity Support Technician

Florida's high-tech employment sectors — including aerospace, defense, healthcare technology, financial technology, and manufacturing automation — represent strong regional demand for computer engineering technology graduates. Internship placements frequently lead directly to full-time job offers upon program completion.

Special Information

Eligibility Requirements: Students must typically meet all of the following conditions before registering for CET2942:

• Completion of all or nearly all core CET program coursework (program-specific requirements vary by institution)
• Minimum cumulative GPA as required by the host college (commonly 2.0 for A.S. programs)
• A secured, approved internship position in a major-related computer engineering technology role prior to enrollment
• Written approval from the program faculty coordinator and/or the college internship office

Grading: This course is graded on a Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) basis. A Satisfactory grade requires completion of the minimum required work hours, all course assignments (logs, reports, evaluations), and a satisfactory employer evaluation.

International Students: International students must consult with the college's International Student Services office regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization requirements before beginning the internship placement. CPT approval must be obtained prior to the start of the work term.

Work-Based Learning Alignment: CET2942 is classified as a Work-Based Learning (WBL) course under Florida's educational framework. The internship experience is designed to bridge classroom theory and industry practice, supporting workforce development goals aligned with Florida's high-demand technology sector.