Chemical Industry Internships for Engineering Students

Powder & Bulk Solids presents a list of internship opportunities at some of the world’s biggest chemical companies.

John S. Forrester, former Managing Editor

March 1, 2021

3 Min Read
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Representative imageImage courtesy of Pixabay

The path to becoming an engineer starts with a single step. For many engineers working in the chemical industry, their first entry into the working world was an internship. Students can use internships to gain real world experience, network with industry peers, and expand their skill sets.

Most of the world’s top chemical manufacturing companies offer some sort of internship, cooperative education program, or apprenticeship to engineering students or recent graduates. Powder & Bulk Solid highlights some of these positions at seven major chemical firms to provide a view of what sorts of opportunities are available to help budding engineers start their caeers.

BASF
The Germany-based firm offers internships to students that range from two to six months. Once accepted into the program, interns at BASF are supported by a supervisor, who provides an extensive review of their performance and achievements at the end of the placement. BASF says it is looking for candidates with stellar grades, as well as specialized skills and knowledge of a foreign language. Opportunities are also available for recent graduates.

For more information, click here.

INEOS
Chemical producer INEOS has several types of internships available, including a summer internship in the US, a 12-month internship at its facility at Hull in the UK, 8-24 week structured learning placements at its site in Lavera, France, and school internships in Koln, Germany. The positions are open to chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering students. The company also offers four-year apprenticeship programs at several of its manufacturing facilities.

For more information, click here

Mitsubishi Chemical America
MCA’s internship program aims to help students “enhance their capabilities” and connect classroom lessons to “industry practices,” according to the company. A co-operative education program is also available. Interns and co-ops who earn good grades and excel in their roles at MCA can receive offers for full-time positions.

For more information, click here.

DuPont
Undergraduate and graduate engineering students can apply to DuPont’s 10-12 week internships or three-six month co-op assignments in the US. The chemical firm also offers similar programs in other countries where it has a presence. Internship participants will have the opportunities to experience a number of aspects of working at DuPont, including analytical project work using Six Sigma methodology.

For more information, click here.

Evonik
The specialty chemicals company has a wide range of opportunities for engineering students and recent graduates. Internships trainee programs, an a three-year dual course of study provide participants with hands-on experience. Evonik also provides resources and support to complete theses and final projects that are relevant to the company’s work.

For more information, click here.

Covestro
Polymer materials supplier Covestro has internships in Germany, China, Italy, Belgium and other countries where the company has a presence. An intern community organizes regular events, including a weekly interns’ lunch, for networking. The company also offers specialized graduate programs.

For more information, click here.

Braskem
Brazil-based petrochemical firm Braskem describes its three-month summer internships as “very hands-on.” Participants take part in actual projects with guidance from Braskem staff and receive feedback on their performance. Recent graduates with a background in chemical or mechanical engineering can apply to the company’s two-and-a-half-year engineering associate program.   

For more information, click here.

These are just a few of the many internship opportunities available to engineering students in the chemical industry. To find positions at other companies, visit their websites and navigate your way to their careers page. Universities and professional organizations may also offer information on internships, apprenticeships and other roles at various chemical firms. Learn about more ways to broaden your professional horizons by visiting Powder & Bulk Solids' Career Development section.

About the Author

John S. Forrester

former Managing Editor, Powder & Bulk Solids

John S. Forrester is the former managing editor of Powder & Bulk Solids.

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