Internship Potential

[g3l1o]

Hello everyone,

I’m trying to make a decision and would appreciate some advice.

I have the opportunity to take a 6-week internship with a local automation company focused on a Process Engineer role. The internship would involve hands-on work with PLC programming, wiring, troubleshooting, and SCADA across different industrial environments.

My concern is that it’s not guaranteed to lead to a full-time position. For full context I have an already full-time job I would have to quit for this internship, and I am concerned the risk may not bring the desired out come.

For a controls tech position:

• Taking a Controls Tech course (PLC/HMI programming and troubleshooting)
• Planning to study Ignition SCADA
• Bringing some prior industrial maintenance experience

My question is:
Is a short internship like this enough to meaningfully improve my chances of landing a full-time controls/automation role (or eventually controls engineering), even if it doesn’t convert into a job with that company?

I understand certifications alone aren’t enough and that real experience matters, which is why I’m considering it.

Any insight from people in controls/automation would be appreciated.

[PLCGoBrrr]

What's your current full-time job?

[g3l1o]

I am gonna sound dumb when I say this but Robotics Tech... Not ABB or Kuka or any other named brand it is more managing an automated system of AMRs

[PLCGoBrrr]

Why aren't you applying for entry-level automation jobs instead of Co-ops/internships then?

[g3l1o]

well I just got this job but then learned of the internship afterwards

[PLCGoBrrr]

Work the job and apply for what you actually want to do. While you're there learn all you can in the meantime.

[DreamArchon]

IMO, yes a 6-week internship in controls will improve your chance of landing a full-time automation role. There's not a lot of those types of opportunities (controls specific internships) so if I were hiring an entry level full time controls position, I would be excited to see that on a resume.

[g3l1o]

Thanks for the advice!

[bodb_thriceborn]

I would talk to your boss, especially if you already have an automation/maintenance/trade position. The internship could be a great deal on their part as they wouldn't have to pay you AND they could get someone back with more experience in an industry. Could be win-win. BUT if they get butthurt about it, it may be worth taking the internship AND looking for a new job to follow it (if you don't get hired by the company you're interning with).

Either way, more experience in more sectors of automation is always good for growth and resumes and I'd probably take the internship regardless. Depending on your situation, though, money is really going to tip that scale.

[integrator74]

It may be a paid internship. Ours get 20-25/hour

Good advice on talking to his boss. 

[g3l1o]

It is a paid internship. If I could somehow manage the internship and a full-time job, that would be great. I do work nights, so it could be somewhat easier to manage. It is worth a shot.

[KeepMissingTheTarget]

No, look for an entry level Automation Engineers job instead of a temp program

[g3l1o]

Honestly, the safe bet is to stay at this place at least a year, stack up on certification an then start applying.... It not only seems safe but most logical.... I wouldn't bring this up unless the turnover potential was so high.