Learn While You Work

Not everyone takes the same route into an engineering career—and that’s a good thing. Some people jump straight into college. Others prefer to get hands-on experience early. If you’re the type of person who learns best by doing, then programs that let you learn while you work might be the right fit for you.

These options can help you build skills, earn money, and explore engineering careers before (or while) you commit to more schooling.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid training programs where you learn a skill by working alongside experienced professionals. In many programs, you split your time between classroom instruction and real on-the-job training.

While apprenticeships are often linked with trades like welding, electrical work, or machining, many of these roles connect closely with engineering and can lead to careers in areas like:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Civil and structural design
• Automation and robotics
• Aerospace systems
• Energy and utilities

In fact, many engineers start out in technical roles and later move into design, management, or innovation.

Co-op Programs

Co-op (short for “cooperative education”) programs are often offered through colleges and universities. These programs combine classroom learning with real work experience, usually in the form of paid internships or job rotations.

Here’s how it works:

• You study engineering during part of the year
• Then, you take a term off from classes to work at a company
• You repeat the cycle, gaining valuable industry experience before you graduate

By the time you finish your degree, you have real projects on your resume—and maybe even a job offer. Co-ops are especially common in engineering schools, and they’re a great way to test out different career paths while still in school.  If you are interested in a co-op while going to school, make sure you check with any prospective schools to be sure of the options.

The Military

Military service can also be a path to an engineering-related career. The armed forces train people in areas like:

• Electronics and Avionics
• Nuclear technology
• Mechanical systems
• Computer science and cybersecurity
• Engineering support and logistics

These roles give you intensive, hands-on training and leadership experience. Some service members continue in technical careers after active duty, while others use military education benefits (like the GI Bill) to earn a degree in engineering or a related field.

There are also military academies and ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) programs that combine college with leadership training—and can lead to engineering positions as officers.

Is It the Right Fit for You?

Programs that mix work and learning can be a good option if you:

• Want to earn money while gaining skills
• Prefer hands-on learning
• Are interested in exploring different careers before committing
• Like the idea of building experience early

They may also be a way to reduce college costs or take a more flexible path to an engineering-related job.

In Short:

Engineering isn’t just about sitting in a classroom. Whether it’s through an apprenticeship, co-op, or military training, there are ways to learn valuable skills while you work—and set yourself up for a future in a technical field.  Where you start doesn’t define where you end up. It’s all about finding a path that matches your strengths, interests, and goals.

Explore your options below!