An overview of the experience in promoting professional environment internships in the Civil Engineering bachelor course of ISEP

In this article, the implementation of professional internships for students of the last curricular year of the Civil Engineering bachelor course of ISEP is presented. The project evolution over the last seven academic years is described in detail, including the procedures and requirements for students’ applications, the analysis of students’ performance, as well as the general acceptance of this consolidated strategy on Portuguese Civil Engineering bachelor courses from all parts involved. The management of this initiative in the last years of COVID-19 pandemics is also described. Some conclusions are drawn and future improvements are proposed, particularly possible modifications on the course curricular plan to allow extended contact periods of the students with the companies, as well as increasing the number of students following professional internships.