Guide to GE Internships: Programs and Application Tips

General Electric (GE) internships offer students invaluable opportunities to build their job skills across business areas at an innovative, future-focused company. GE Aerospace provides jet and turboprop engines and integrated systems for aircrafts. While the company has many internship opportunities focused on planning, building, and supplying this technology, it also has non-technical opportunities in finance, human resources, and sales and marketing.

Whether you’re interested in developing the world’s next-best product in aviation technology or working with customers to deliver it, GE internships offer real-world experience that can help you launch your career. Here’s everything you need to know about General Electric internships and tips on how to land them.

What Is a General Electric Internship?

A General Electric Aerospace internship is a 10-12 week-long program for undergraduate and graduate students. GE offers internships in various work areas, from engineering and supply chain to finance and marketing.

In these paid internships, students learn by doing, working on real challenges and projects that professionals at GE do — and genuinely impacting the business. Students work alongside top leaders at GE, paving the way for mentorship and professional development opportunities, and have the chance to connect with other GE employees and interns around the world. 

General Electric internships help prepare students for a full-time position after graduation, whether in a GE leadership program or direct hire opportunity. 

Interns at GE rate the program a 4.3 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with 92% saying they’d recommend GE internships to a friend. Reviews highlight the company’s learning opportunities, sharing that there are good training opportunities and exposure to leadership. Negative comments mention that the work can be boring or lack meaning, but still recommend the program overall. 

Who Is Eligible for GE Internships?

Specific eligibility criteria for GE internships may change based on the particular field and position, but general requirements include:

• Working toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Specific hard skills depending on the internship, like knowledge of engineering principles for a mechanical engineering position
• U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and other protected people under the Immigration and Naturalization Act)
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must pass a background check and drug screening

GE Internships and Co-Ops at GE Aerospace

GE internships — sometimes called co-ops — are opportunities across the business in various focus areas. 

Commercial (Sales & Marketing)

Commercial internships at GE are customer-facing, allowing interns to work on business assignments directly with customers. These interns may work with the company’s sales, commercial operations, marketing, or communications divisions. 

Digital Technology

Digital technology GE internships focus on how to connect GE technology and appliances with people around the world. These assignments might include (but are not limited to):

• Technical product management
• Software development
• Cybersecurity
• Data analytics
• Data science
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
• Agile methodologies
• User experience (UX)

Digital technologies interns also work closely with key information technology, software business leaders, and the network of global interns. 

Engineering

Applications Currently Open

Engineering internships at GE Aerospace are an excellent fit for students passionate about advanced aerospace technology. Interns can work in design and analysis, testing, materials, and engineering systems. There are two main divisions students may work in:

• Engines and Edison Works: Engineering opportunities on commercial and military engines
• Aviation systems: Engineering opportunities on avionics hardware and embedded coding

Finance

GE internships in finance work on project-based assignments that focus on top aviation finance initiatives in the commercial, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), supply chain, digital, and controllership spaces. The company aims to help students improve their finance, accounting, business, and leadership skills, along with soft skills essential for the field.

Human Resources

Human resources interns at GE Aerospace get to work on a full range of HR tasks, including employee relations, union relations, organization and talent development, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and people analytics. 

Legal

GE legal interns are typically law clerks or paralegals. Law clerks work with the company’s legal and business professionals to help deliver legal services. Paralegals work with the litigation team to manage commercial disputes and regulatory matters.

Manufacturing/Supply Chain

Applications Currently Open

Manufacturing and supply chain interns can work on a variety of projects:

• Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles in a shop operations environment.
• Use risk assessments, root cause analyses, and corrective actions to enhance product quality.
• Improve the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing methods.
• Forecast, plan, and source materials and support their delivery through shops and GE suppliers.
• Focus on environmental health and safety of company employees.
• Work to improve facilities and provide maintenance to increase machine uptime.

Military DoD SkillBridge Internship

Applications Currently Open 

In addition to industry-specific internships, GE also offers internships specifically for service members seeking civilian work experience during their last 180 days of service. Military DoD SkillBridge participants have opportunities to apply across different GE functions, including but not limited to:

• Engineering
• Supply chain
• Sales and marketing
• Avionics
• Business, general aviation, and integrated systems
• Commercial engines
• Digital
• Finance

Unlike GE’s other internships, this program does not compensate participants, as participants continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members.

Other Early Career Opportunities at GE Aerospace

Outside of internships, GE Aerospace offers a variety of development programs for undergraduates and early-career graduates. 

Development programs at GE Aerospace offer real-world experience and projects in a two-year rotational program. These paid programs include rotational assignments, impactful work content, technical and leadership training, a peer community, active coaching, and leadership exposure.

Over 25% of current top leaders at GE started at one of the company’s development programs; offers for full-time employment at GE are conditional upon successful program completion.

Commercial Leadership Program

The Commercial Leadership Program (CLP) is focused on GE Aerospace’s sales, marketing, and commercial operations functions to give students and new graduates experience with business-critical tasks. Participants are able to develop leadership, negotiation, and critical thinking skills in these roles.

GE offers a few different variations of this program based on specialty and experience. For example, the company offers a Technical Commercial Leadership Program covering functions like field service engineer, fleet support engineer, and CTP engineer. There’s also a version of the program for mid-career applicants called the Experienced Commercial Leadership Program.

Digital Technology Leadership Program

The Digital Technology Leadership Program focuses on connecting people, processes, and products to help solve the technology problems of the future. This program offers a combination of in-person and virtual leadership, technology, and business training with four different technology rotations. Different rotations may include:

• Technical product management
• Enterprise application engineering
• Software engineering
• Data analytics
• Cybersecurity

Participants have access to virtual learning circles throughout the program’s two years and the opportunity to receive master’s degree credits. There are also two major in-person opportunities to gather with everyone in your cohort: once in the U.S. and once internationally.

Edison Engineering Development Program

GE’s Edison Engineering ​​​​​​​Development Program (EEDP) offers three to four rotations across business-critical engineering assignments, including engineering hardware design, controls, validation testing, materials, power electronics, and software. 

Participants receive training from technical experts in leadership, advanced technology, and design methodology. Edison engineers also get the option to pursue a GE-funded master’s degree, where available.

Financial Management Program

The Financial Management Program offers the opportunity to work at different locations and GE Aerospace businesses in six-month rotations across areas like supply chain finance, financial planning and analysis, and commercial finance. 

Participants will hone their soft skills through virtual and in-person courses, including inclusive, personalized coaching.

Human Resources Leadership Program

Participants in GE’s Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP) help nurture and support talent at the company in three eight-month-long rotations in actual open HR roles. Common rotations include:

• HR client support
• Employee relations
• Total rewards
• Talent acquisition
• Organizational design
• Talent management

Participants will work on a variety of assignments in HR, including but not limited to:

• Mentoring
• Coaching
• Talent recruitment and development
• Organization and employee support
• Learning
• Compensation and benefits
• HR operations
• Labor relations

This program includes two in-person and one virtual global seminar to work with peers, senior HR members, and business leaders worldwide. These seminars focus on formal learning, business simulations, community service, external speakers, and networking. 

Military Officer Leadership Program

The Military Officer Leadership Program (MOLP) provides opportunities for officers with five or more years of U.S. military experience looking to start their first civilian role. In eight-month rotations, participants work in three different functions and receive on-the-job and formal classroom training. Typical rotations include finance, Lean manufacturing, and operations. 

Operations Management Leadership Program

GE’s Operations Management Leadership Program (OMLP) focuses on training students and new graduates in operations, supply chain, manufacturing quality, and environmental health and safety. Participants work in three different rotations across the business, including functions like:

• Operations supervisor
• Lean leader
• Manufacturing/process engineer
• Materials planner

Manufacturing Engineering Development Program

Participants in the Manufacturing Engineering Development Program (MEDP) gain valuable experience in manufacturing and technology — the core of GE Aerospace’s future. This program offers two one-year rotations across the supply chain to help participants build a technical foundation in the manufacturing and assembly processes. 

Applying for GE Aerospace Internships

GE splits its application process into three sections: get to know us, talk with us, and join us.

• Get to know us: GE recommends that applicants research the company online and narrow down the perfect opportunity to apply to.
• Talk with us: After you submit your application, you’ll generally have a few rounds of interviews. You’ll talk with a recruiter and hiring manager and participate in a panel.
• Join us: Receive an offer and join the team! 

Internship Interviews at GE

Glassdoor reviews of the GE internship interview process say the process is fast and straightforward. Past applicants recommend practicing answers to common behavioral interview questions and coming prepared to discuss your experience, interests, and career goals. For those interviewing for technical positions, reviews also mention that you may need to answer technical interview questions. 

To prepare for the interview, GE recommends practicing clear communication, specifically using the STAR method. This method of answering interview questions helps you discuss your experience by explaining the situation, the task you had to complete, the action you took, and your results. 

Tips for Landing a GE Internship 

Connect With GE 

Networking is of the utmost importance when applying for an internship. Warm candidates, or candidates who have had contact with a company recruiter or employee, are far more likely to land an internship than cold candidates who’ve just applied through the company website.

GE has a specific “Connecting With Us” page where they advise students to:

• Attend events: The company offers in-person and virtual opportunities to learn more about GE and its opportunities and meet recruiters. 
• Meet with a GE representative on campus: GE has many school-specific events and visits; talk to your career center or advisor to learn when someone from GE might visit a career fair or host an event at your school.
• Join the talent community: Share what business areas interest you and get updates and information about open GE opportunities.

Focus on Timeline

GE is transparent about when its internship applications are open and the timeline you can expect from meeting a recruiter to receiving an offer. It’s crucial to apply as soon as these applications are available. Often, recruiters will review applications on a rolling basis, which means they review them as they come in — not after a specific deadline. The earlier you apply, the better your chance of landing the role.

The general timeline for GE summer internships is:

• August: Applications open.
• September: GE hosts on-campus and virtual events to connect with students.
• October: Events continue, and selected candidates attend virtual interviews.
• November: Most offers are sent out.

Complete a Forage Job Simulation

Learn what a day in the life working at GE Aerospace is like with a Forage job simulation. You can choose a simulation depending on your career interest, from human resources to digital technology.

Students who complete a Forage job simulation at GE get a better sense of what working at the company is like and demonstrate their interest and passion for working at the company — which makes you stand out in an application.

Show You’re a Leader

If you’re applying for an internship, it can feel counterintuitive to have to demonstrate leadership skills on your resume. Yet just because an internship is an entry-level role doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader; in fact, that’s what recruiters will be looking for on the application.

If you don’t have any work experience in leadership roles, share examples of when you were a leader in an organization, extracurricular, or school project. Remember to emphasize key leadership skills like communication, collaboration, and decision-making.

Demonstrate Lifelong Learning

Recruiters don’t expect you to have advanced technical or soft skills; instead, they want to see if you can learn them quickly. Including examples of your dedication to lifelong learning shows that you’re self-motivated, adaptable, and ready to take on new skills. Examples of lifelong learning include:

• Taking an online course
• Conducting independent research
• Taking on personal projects
• Attending a workshop
• Earning a certification

Be Curious

Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the interview process. Asking questions about the company — specifically, information you can’t find openly on the website — demonstrates that you’re an engaged and passionate candidate. It also helps you build a relationship with the hiring manager or recruiter, making you stand out and improving your chances of landing the role.

Learn more about GE and what it’s like to work there with our Guide to Working at GE. 

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