Landing an aerospace internship has gotten complicated with all the advice flying around. Everyone tells you to “network more” and “tailor your resume,” but nobody really walks you through what a program like Collins Aerospace actually looks like from the inside. I spent a good chunk of time researching this one, and I want to share what I found — plus a few things I wish someone had told me when I was applying to internships years ago.
So What Is Collins Aerospace, Exactly?
Collins Aerospace sits under the Raytheon Technologies umbrella. It came together when Rockwell Collins merged with United Technologies Aerospace Systems, which was a pretty big deal in the industry. They work across both commercial and military aviation — think flight systems, avionics, cabin interiors, and a whole lot more. It’s a massive operation with a global footprint.
Probably should have led with this: the reason Collins matters for interns is that it’s not some small startup where you’ll be fetching coffee. These folks work on actual aerospace technology that ends up in aircraft around the world.
What Kinds of Internships Are Available?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Collins doesn’t just hire engineering interns — though that’s obviously a big chunk. They also bring on people for business roles, IT, and supply chain management. I was surprised by the range when I first looked into it. If you’re studying finance or marketing, there’s actually a path for you here too.
Engineering interns might end up designing components or writing software. Business interns could find themselves doing market analysis or working on financial projections. The point is, whatever your discipline, there’s probably something that fits.
The Application Process (Don’t Sleep on This)
It all starts online, which, yeah, isn’t groundbreaking news. You upload your resume and cover letter through their career portal. But here’s the thing I want to stress: apply early. Like, earlier than you think you need to. These positions are competitive, and the hiring managers tend to give more attention to applications that come in at the front of the cycle.
If you make it past the initial screen, you’ll do interviews — sometimes virtual, sometimes in person. I’d recommend researching their recent projects and understanding their corporate values before you sit down with anyone. It shows you care enough to do the homework.
What the Day-to-Day Actually Looks Like
Once you’re in, you’re not just observing. Interns at Collins work alongside full-time engineers and analysts. You sit in on meetings, collaborate on live projects, and attend training sessions. They pair you with a mentor, which honestly makes a huge difference. Having someone who’s been in the industry for a while to bounce questions off of? That’s worth more than any textbook.
The responsibilities are real, too. I’ve heard from former interns who were given ownership of specific project components. Not busy work — actual deliverables that the team depended on. That can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also how you learn the fastest.
Skills You’ll Pick Up
Obviously the technical skills depend on your department. But across the board, interns come out of Collins with stronger communication skills, better teamwork instincts, and sharper problem-solving abilities. Working in a global company also gives you some cross-cultural awareness that’s hard to get in a classroom setting.
I think what a lot of students underestimate is how much soft skills matter in engineering environments. You can be the best coder in the room, but if you can’t explain your approach to a project lead, that talent gets hidden.
The Networking Part
This is something I almost glossed over, but it deserves its own section. Collins hosts events and social gatherings specifically so interns can meet people outside their immediate team. You’ll interact with peers from other departments, senior engineers, and occasionally some pretty high-up folks. That’s what makes Collins endearing to young professionals — they actually invest in making sure interns feel like part of the organization, not just temporary help.
Pay and Benefits
Let’s talk money, because people always want to know. Collins offers competitive compensation for interns. In some cases, they provide housing assistance, which is a big deal if you’re relocating to a city where rent is ridiculous. You also get access to company resources and professional development programs, which is a nice bonus on top of the paycheck.
The Culture Inside
From everything I’ve gathered, the work culture leans toward inclusive and innovation-focused. They emphasize integrity and accountability, which — I’ll be honest — sounds like corporate speak, but former interns actually back it up. People say they felt comfortable asking questions and pushing back on ideas, which tells me the culture is genuine.
Feedback and How They Evaluate You
You won’t be left guessing about how you’re doing. Supervisors give regular evaluations throughout the internship. Some people dread feedback, but I’ve always found it helpful. Knowing where you stand halfway through lets you adjust and improve rather than finding out at the end that you missed the mark somewhere.
Can It Turn Into a Full-Time Job?
Short answer: yes. Strong performers sometimes get offers before the internship even ends. It depends on available positions and how well you did, but a lot of Collins’ full-time employees started as interns. That’s a pipeline they take seriously.
Former interns talk about how the experience gave them a head start once they joined full-time. They already knew the systems, the people, and the expectations. That kind of institutional knowledge is hard to replicate.
Where You Might Be Working
Collins has locations all over the place. Your internship site could be a major office in a downtown area or a facility near a manufacturing plant. It really depends on the role. Worth noting: some locations are more desirable than others for lifestyle reasons, so if you get a choice, do some research on the area too.
Tips to Make the Most of It
Be proactive. I cannot say this enough. Ask questions even when you feel like you should already know the answer. Seek feedback before it’s formally given. Build relationships — not in a forced, “let me add you on LinkedIn” way, but genuinely get to know the people around you. Take on extra projects if you have the bandwidth. The interns who stand out are the ones who show initiative without being asked.
Resources to Help You Get Started
- Collins Aerospace career portal — this is your starting point
- Your university’s career services office
- Industry networking events and career fairs
- Alumni connections (ask around, you’d be surprised who knows someone)
- LinkedIn — specifically for finding current and former Collins interns to chat with
Use these to get a feel for what’s expected and how to position yourself. A little research upfront goes a long way.
Prepping for the Interview
Do your homework on recent Collins projects. Know what divisions interest you and why. Practice answering behavioral questions — the “tell me about a time when…” variety. And understand their values well enough that you can speak to how you’d fit in. Confidence matters, but so does showing that you’ve done more than skim the About page on their website.
A Word on Diversity
Collins actively promotes a diverse workforce, and from what I can tell, it’s not just lip service. They recruit from a wide range of schools and backgrounds. Interns from different disciplines and cultures contribute to a richer work environment, and the company seems to understand that well.
Final Thoughts
A Collins Aerospace internship is a legitimate stepping stone. You get real experience, good mentorship, and a chance to prove yourself in a major aerospace company. Whether you end up going full-time with them or taking what you learned somewhere else, the experience sticks with you. If you’re a student looking at aerospace or defense, this is one worth putting at the top of your list.
