Preparation is Key: How to Stand Out as a CFD Intern Candidate

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. —Seneca

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and working with outstanding interns, many of whom have made significant contributions to consulting projects, CFD process development, and solving complex problems in industry. Witnessing their growth and the impact of their work has been incredibly rewarding.

Whether you're passionate about CFD or just starting your journey in fluid mechanics, these steps can help you stand out during the application process.

1. Read and Align with the Role Requirements

More than half of the people who reach out miss some critical details. These include the dates of the internship, your expected graduation date, and the university (or graduate school) requirements. While it’s exciting to apply for roles, not meeting these basic criteria can stop you before you even start. Make sure you check every detail of the job description to ensure you qualify before applying.

2. Do Your Research on the Company

Who are we? What do we do? Why does it matter? These are questions you should be able to answer before an interview. Take some time to explore the company’s website, learn about the products we make, and understand our mission. I want teammates who are genuinely excited about our work. Showing that you’ve done your homework demonstrates initiative and interest.

3. Understand Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Fundamentals

For an internship where you'll primarily be solving thermo-fluids problems, having a strong foundational will set you up for success. Make sure you’re comfortable with:

• Bernoulli's principle
• The laws of thermodynamics
• Newton’s laws of motion
• Navier-Stokes equations
• Viscosity (Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids)
• Macroscopic mass, energy, and momentum balances
• Dimensionless numbers (and their relevance in CFD)
• Solving ordinary and some partial differential equations including associated boundary condition types and compatibility/stability requirements
• A phenomenological understanding of turbulence and how it is dealt with in CFD

Even a basic understanding of these topics will help you ask the right questions and navigate challenges during your internship.

4. Zoom Out: Grasp the Big Picture of CFD

CFD is about much more than running simulations and pushing buttons. Get familiar with the end-to-end process, including mesh generation, solver settings, and post-processing. Understanding the Finite Volume Method, common sources of error in CFD, and ways to minimize them will also give you an edge.

It’s also helpful to stay aware of current trends in CFD. Topics like machine learning integration or automation are becoming increasingly important in the field.

5. Discuss Practical CFD Experience

Practical experience with a CFD tool gives you a lot to talk about in interviews. It doesn't have to be advanced, but you should be able to reflect on the challenges you encountered, the steps you took to solve them, and what you enjoyed about the process. Going through tutorials is a great start, but also think about how the lessons apply to real-world problems.

6. Be Ready to Share Your Team Experience

Have you worked on a team that accomplished something significant? What role did you play? Reflect on these experiences and think about what makes a great team. Strong teamwork skills are just as important as technical knowledge in a collaborative environment like ours.

Think about:

• What made the team work well together?
• Who was the leader, and what made them effective?
• What type of team do you thrive in?
• What was your role and how did that enable the team to achieve more?

Understanding these dynamics will not only help you in interviews but also on the job.

7. Share Your CFD Journey

If you're an undergraduate, I don’t expect you to be an expert, but I do want to hear about your enthusiasm for CFD. If you’ve taken a fluid mechanics class or worked on fun projects, be sure to share those experiences.

Graduate students, on the other hand, should be ready to dive deeper into their work. Be prepared to talk about your project decisions—what worked, what didn’t, and why. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. For PhD candidates, expect more advanced technical discussions compared to those with undergraduates.

Overall, don’t hesitate to share your CFD journey, no matter how far along you are. Whether it’s your first project or a research study, I'm eager to hear about your experiences and how you approached challenges.

8. Ask Thoughtful Questions

You don’t have to know everything. In fact, I appreciate candidates who are curious and ask questions. Whether it’s about the company, our team, the technology, or CFD itself, asking questions demonstrates a desire to learn and grow. Start this process in the interview—show that you’re eager to dive deeper into the work.

9. Follow Up Professionally

Reach out after the interview via LinkedIn, email, or through the recruiter. A follow-up shows me that you're serious about the role and truly interested in what our team is doing, rather than applying to every available internship. It also opens the door for feedback, whether it’s on how to improve or a confirmation that you did well.

Lastly...

Always remember that every expert was once a beginner! With the right preparation and a positive mindset, you’ll be well-equipped to seize any opportunity that comes your way. By embracing these suggestions and putting in the effort, you won’t just stand out during the internship selection process—you’ll also pave the way for a rewarding and impactful experience. Internships are a unique chance to take your classroom knowledge and apply it to real-world challenges, learn from industry professionals, and develop both technical and interpersonal skills that will shape your future career.

Whether you’re deeply passionate about CFD or just starting to dip your toes into the field, your time with a company is a wonderful opportunity for growth. Embrace challenges, contribute to meaningful projects, and let your curiosity drive you forward. Remember, preparation and a genuine desire to learn are your greatest assets. With the right mindset, every challenge transforms into an opportunity for growth, and each step you take brings you closer to mastering your craft. I’m excited to see how the next generation of interns embraces this journey and helps us push the boundaries of what we can achieve together!

Best of luck!