Students usually get internships to gain entry-level exposure to their chosen field. These positions typically last for 10 to 12 weeks but can vary in length. An internship position may also be paid or unpaid. However, if you’re looking for great real-world work experience to reach your career goals, an internship with a company like Canon can be one of the best steps to do that.
This guide will give you more in-depth knowledge if you’re curious about how to get an internship at Canon. Don’t worry if you have a busy school schedule as you can easily apply for a summer Canon internship. Discover more details about how to apply, what a Canon intern does, and what internship positions are available below.
What Is Canon? A Brief Canon Background
Canon is known as an optical product and imaging company specializing in manufacturing products like cameras, scanners, and some medical equipment. According to Statista, Canan reported net sales of $30.39 billion worldwide in 2020, which is actually the company’s lowest record of sales in at least 15 years.
Canon’s headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan, and the company has 181,897 employees, according to MacroTrends. It has been in the industry for 60 years and currently operates in many different countries.
Does Canon Hire Students?
Canon does hire undergraduate students for internships. However, there are specific qualifications and requirements they set to ensure that they get the right candidates for the available positions. Students can gain extensive experience from the company, as they are given tasks and responsibilities just like employees.
Canon Internships: General Overview
Internships with Canon U.S.A. Inc., the US division of the company, are fun and can provide many good learning opportunities. You’ll be able to work on project teams with talented professionals who have decades of experience. These colleagues will help you develop your skills. Canon believes the internship programs can help students foster lifelong networking connections and learn valuable skills.
What Does a Canon Intern Do?
At Canon U.S.A. Inc., interns play a support role in the company. They are there to assist the department they are placed in. At first, it’s about learning how the company operates and understanding business processes. Then, students will get collaborative experience working with team members across departments.
Interns will also get the chance to pick up hard skills. For example, depending on which department you are in, you may learn web development or data analytics. At the end of the internship, students can present a summary of their experience and achievements to top-level executives.
Canon Internship Reviews: What Is the Experience Like?
Reviews on Glassdoor reveal that some interns had a great experience, as they met terrific, friendly, and generous people who shared their knowledge. However, there are positive and negative reviews about working as an intern at Canon U.S.A.
The company is said to have an excellent work culture as “interns are given meaningful and important tasks,” according to a former intern. On the other hand, although students still gave the experience a high rating, some interns noted that the long hours required were a negative part of the internship experience.
Is It Hard to Get an Internship at Canon?
It’s not hard to get an internship at Canon. However, the process can take a few weeks. First, you have to apply online. Then, you have to go through an interview, which usually lasts around 40 minutes. Just like when you’re applying for a job, you must show that you have excellent communication skills and demonstrate why the available position is a good internship fit for you.
Canon Intern Salaries: How Much Does a Canon Internship Pay?
Interns at Canon U.S.A. usually earn an average wage of $22 per hour, according to Glassdoor. However, this amount varies with which department you are in. This rate is higher than the average intern compensation in the US, which is just $14.21 per hour, according to Indeed. As such, Canon interns are considered to be well-compensated for their work.
How to Apply for a Canon Internship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Interns play an essential role in a company and are expected to make a meaningful contribution to the team. It is important to note, however, that before you become an intern, you have to go through an internship application process. Below is a guide to help you apply for an internship with Canon.
Step 1: Prepare Your Resume
The first thing you have to do is to prepare your resume. You can still write a great resume with no work experience. You can highlight your most important hard and soft skills and how you’ve used them in your college years. If you’ve done extracurricular activities that demonstrate those skills, add them too. You can also include a professional summary to appeal to the recruiters.
Step 2: Apply Online
The next step is to check out Canon’s website and view the available internship programs. If you think that you have what it takes, and that this opportunity aligns with your career goals, then go ahead and apply. Make sure that you meet the qualification standards they are looking for.
Step 3: Wait for an Update Regarding Your Interview
Now that you’ve submitted your application, the next step is to wait for a notification or update about your interview. Some previous interns had a phone interview while some were scheduled for an onsite interview. Regardless of which type of interview you have, it’s important to prepare for your interview by practicing answers to popular interview questions.
How to Get an Internship at Canon: Internship Opportunities in 2022
Canon U.S.A. offers a handful of different internships. Below are the current ones they’re advertising. The list will also give you insights into the requirements and skills they’re looking for in each position.
Corporate Communications Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in research techniques and analytical methods, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
In this position, you’ll be expected to assist with various tasks and projects. You’re expected to meet deadlines and show good judgment in a professional working environment. Furthermore, you have to follow the company procedures and policies of Canon Virginia. You may also be responsible for research, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations as necessary.
Procurement Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in strategic management, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
In this position, you will be assigned to the procurement department in Canon, Virginia. You’re expected to assist and support the team in acquiring the services and goods needed to run the company. You will also have to help in receiving orders and documents.
Manufacturing Engineering (Mechanical) Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering or related course
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in quality control processes, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
As an intern in this department, you’ll support the team when it comes to equipment operation and maintenance. You’ll be exposed to how to design new equipment and make efficient processes, systems, and procedures. You’ll also support members of the team as they investigate production problems.
Product Engineering Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related course
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in prototype software, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
As a product engineer intern with Canon, you’re expected to help the department by coming up with unique product ideas. You’ll also support the process of testing product prototypes. Other tasks will also be assigned from time to time, so you must be flexible and ready to adapt.
Project Analyst Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in data analysis, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23 to August 5
As a project analyst, you’re expected to support and assist the project manager in managing projects. You’ll be exposed to project reports and will need to assess project progress. You’ll also help determine goals and requirements for each new project and gather necessary information.
Packaging (Product Engineering) Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related course
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in mathematics, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
As a product engineer intern, you’ll have to work with shipping managers and logisticians in identifying manufacturing materials and procedures. As an intern, you’ll be helping the team oversee the manufacturing process. Moreover, you have to coordinate with the product development team for product ideas.
Business Planning Intern
- Location: Virginia
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree related to business
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in mathematics, good time management skills and writing skills
- Length: 10 weeks
- Start Date: May 23
As a business planner, your role is to help the department make strategic planning processes. In this internship, you’ll be able to gain broad experience in different business areas like budgeting, administration, production, and logistics. You’ll also help out and support the team when it comes to measuring the company’s success.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Canon Internship
The competition is inevitably high when it comes to getting a Canon internship, because it is such a respected company in the industry. Getting a great internship is an important career step for a wide variety of career paths. To help you stand out during the application process, here are some tips.
Attend a Bootcamp
Enrolling in a bootcamp can help you build highly valuable skills, especially if you’re in the tech field. By attending a bootcamp you’ll be able to learn the necessary skills in a short time period. In addition, there are several online bootcamps available, which you can finish at your own pace.
Learn About the Company
Knowing about the company is essential as it shows how interested you are in working at Canon. This will also give you more insights into the company culture and what values they uphold. You can relate your findings with your objectives as an intern to show recruiters how you will fit in and add value to the company.
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Prepare for the Interview
As mentioned above, those who apply to the Canon internship program will have to go through an interview. Being well-prepared for this interview is one of the best things you can do to boost your prospects as a candidate. Do some research online about questions that are commonly asked, such as popular behavioral interview questions, and prepare your answers accordingly.
Should I Apply for an Internship at Canon?
Yes, you should apply for an internship at Canon, because you can learn a lot from the experience. You’ll get to work with professionals who will share knowledge that can help you in your future career. Furthermore, Canon internships provide incredible opportunities to have hands-on work experience that will help you boost your resume.
Canon Internships FAQ
Yes, there is a summer Canon internship program. In fact, Canon offers a variety of internships during the summer months. These opportunities typically last from May 23 to August 5.
The top city to find Canon intern jobs is Newport News, Virginia. It is a small, coastal city that is about two and a half hours south of Washington DC.
Yes, the company is hiring right now. You can view available positions on their website. Some of the positions they are trying to fill include account executive, field service supervisor, and solutions advisor.
No, it is not too late to get a summer internship at Canon. The summer internship program begins in May 2022, so you must apply before that date. However, since applications are open, it is always best to apply as soon as you can.
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