6A – Industry

The 6A program is an opportunity for employers to hire talented, highly motivated students who are passionate about their fields and eager for workplace experience. The program connects classroom learning with productive, paid work experience.

Please reach out to us at 6a@mit.edu so we can set up a meeting to discuss what type of candidates you are looking for, internship duration, salaries, and expectations.

The 6A program matches students and companies based on research topic interests. Next, companies will select and interview students. Once the company has selected the student(s) and offer will then be extended. The student(s) will then accept or decline the offer.

In the vast majority of cases, the company hiring the 6A student(s) is responsible for compensating the student and covering all associated costs of employment. 6A does not pay the student for work performed; however, in some cases a fellowship money may be available to help support the student.

Yes! Federal regulations permit the employment of international students on F-1 and exchange visitor student J-1 visas, with certain limits. These students may work off-campus after obtaining the proper work authorization from MIT’s International Students Office.

No, students obtain work authorization as Curricular Practical Training for cooperative education positions from MIT’s International Student Office (ISO) . The employer does not need to provide work authorization; students are responsible for completing the process of work authorization.

Employers should be aware of the policies and recommended best practices of the US Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as they relate to pre-employment inquiries regarding citizenship and equal employment practices, including refraining from discriminating on the basis of national origin and/or immigration and citizenship status.

Company supervisors/mentors are required to assist students in achieving your educational and work experience goals through the following:

• Assign exciting projects and/or assignments using state-of-the-art technology.

• Open communication with the student’s MIT Thesis Advisor (if they are doing an MEng internship)

• Assessing and evaluating the student’s progress.

• Meeting and communicating with the student

Students are scheduled for full-time classes during terms when they are not interning. Occasionally, employers retain a 6A student after the end of the term on a part-time basis around the student’s class schedule. International students on a work visa are not permitted to continue working part-time after the internship term.

Once graduated, many 6A students accept full-time employment with one of their former 6A employers. One year after graduation, nearly half of all 6A students had received a full-time offer from a former 6A employer.

Yes! We have several companies who approach us wanting to route their current MIT student intern through the 6A program. Please reach out to us at 6a@mit.edu so we can set up a meeting to coordinate and discuss details.