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Bridge Experience

Don’t just study engineering. Do it.

Chemical engineering student works with test tubes and beakers in a lab.

The Bridge Experience Program is a university-wide initiative to ensure that every undergraduate student connects their classroom learning with a career path by completing hands-on experiential learning. Internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, study abroad, service learning, Corps of Cadets leadership, capstone courses, and more can qualify as bridge experiences.

Why should you do a bridge experience?

  • Bridge experiences turn the knowledge you’ve gained in the classroom into real-world impact, making you a better engineer along the way.

  • Bridge experiences build your resume and portfolio, making you more likely to successfully launch your career after graduation. Studies show that employees are more likely to hire applicants who have completed internships, study abroad programs, or undergraduate research.

  • Bridge experiences build professional competencies employers look for, like collaboration, creativity, and communication, so that when you enter the workforce, you hit the ground running.

Macey Gannaway in an orange safety vest at a construction site


Macey Gannaway

Major: Construction engineering and management 
Bridge experience: Internship with Southland Industries

“Working in the real world is the most important experience I've had. My internship has helped me hone my technical and managerial skills — and to bring it back into the classroom, group projects, and other aspects of my life.”

Solomon Afework in a safety helmet working on a machine at Smurfit Westrock.


Solomon Afework

Major: Chemical engineering
Bridge experience: Co-op with Smurfit Westrock

“My bridge experience is almost like a long-term interview. If everything goes well, I’ll end up working for the company. The return on investment when it comes to going into the workforce is astronomical.” 

Frequently asked questions

Each department sets its own expectations, but bridge experiences may include:

  • Internships (240 hours)
  • Co-ops (240 hours)
  • Undergraduate research (3 credits or 240 hours)
  • Study abroad or international experience (3 credits or 6 weeks)
  • Senior design capstone projects (one semester)
  • Interdisciplinary Projects (IDPro) or Interdisciplinary Capstone (IDC) projects (3 credits)
  • Corps of Cadets leadership (one semester)

You can see each program's list of options in the Academic Catalog by selecting the program of your choice and reviewing the Overview tab.

It’s an easy three steps for most students:

  1. Find a bridge experience. Verify with your advisor that your intended experience qualifies, or review the list of qualifying Bridge Experiences in your degree program’s ENGE 3900 Canvas page. (You’ll be automatically added to the Canvas page once you transition into your major.)
  2. Submit your proposal document in the Canvas site for ENGE 3900, a required zero-credit online course, and your expected course completion semester. If your plan is approved, you’ll be enrolled in ENGE 3900 during that semester. 
  3. Complete your bridge experience and complete the course. As part of ENGE 3900, you’ll do modules requiring reflection and the submission of a showcase—a portfolio, artifact, or other project that represents your experience. Completing the course ensures that you fulfill the requirement and that your bridge experience appears on your transcript.

All students fulfilling the requirements for the 2025–26 catalog or later will need to complete the bridge experience to graduate in the College of Engineering. Students on the 2024–25 catalog requirements will need to complete the bridge experience if they are part of one of the following programs:

  • biomedical engineering
  • building construction
  • civil engineering
  • chemical engineering
  • construction engineering and management

There are lots of ways to find a bridge experience. Here are some starting points:

Email coe-bridge@vt.edu or talk to your advisor.