Getting an aerospace company co-op/internship

[RGNASA]

My university mandates that engineering students complete three co-ops to graduate with a bachelor's degree. I am a mechanical engineering student and I would like to know what I should do to get a co-op/internship with an aerospace company (aerospace in general not just top names like SpaceX and NASA).

[gtae07]

I was a co-op student (Georgia Tech); did four rotations leading to a full-time position at an aircraft manufacturer (and I'm still there).

First, how far along are you in your classes? If you're just finishing your freshman year, start now.  Most places won't hire a cop-op without at least three or four semesters of credit, but you need to get started early.  Go talk to the school's co-op advisor and find out how you formally apply (on the school end).  Your advisor will be able to tell you which employers most of your fellow students wind up going to.  They're a good start.  But, also start looking at various employers.  Many of them post co-op/intern positions the same way they post full-time jobs; others may have special relationships with the co-op advisors.  In my case it was as simple as my advisor saying "by the way, (company) is doing co-op interviews next week; would you like me to sign you up?".  From all accounts, it's not nearly that easy now...

If your school is holding any career fair events, go.  Get someone to look your resume over (most undergrads do terribly here) and have them grill you with likely questions.  Find out who your targets are ahead of time and learn about the company--if you just show up dumbly you're unlikely to get a second look.

Most companies seem to do their co-op and intern job postings in the fall semester, or sometimes early spring semester.  By this point in the year they've already interviewed and extended offers.  Co-ops interviewed in the fall may start working in the spring (like me).  But don't expect to get a co-op job for this summer, it's almost certainly too late for that. 

Don't be too worried about having to get on with an aerospace company as a co-op.  Any experience will be good, and it's far easier for an ME to find a job in aerospace, than for an AE to find a job outside of aerospace.  I know a couple of people who were ME's and started their careers in petroleum, industrial food processing, and automotive before coming to aerospace.

Also note that you can still get a job in the aerospace sector without working for an OEM.  Places like Parker, GE, Eaton, etc. all supply aerospace with components and equipment, even though they aren't the big name that goes on the side of the aircraft/rocket.  Cast your net wide, especially at this stage.  Don't get too hung up on where the employer is located--this isn't a lifetime commitment, you aren't buying a house, you aren't marrying the company.  Find a place that will give you good work experience.

[Fequalsma]

Seconding gtae07's comments. You'll want to find a company that'll have you doing relevant technical work as a co-op/intern. I did several co-op sessions while in undergrad. I learned and applied linear finite element analysis, designed GSE for a Shuttle flight experiment, and designed, built and tested structures. This was a great experience and foundation for my career.