Is summer internship important from very first year?

Though it's not a degree requirement to do summer internship from very first year of your degree education in mechanical engineering but it's definitely very beneficial to do some internship even after first year. Only one summer internship is required to complete degree in mechanical engineering which is usually recommended after third year in most of the universities and colleges. But if you will do an internship even after first year, it will add more to your information and experience about mechanical engineering industry. You can do internships in different industries related to mechanical engineering. Joining some company as an internee during summers is much better than just wasting time at home.

Also during internship you will be networking with many senior managers and engineers within a company which will definitely help you in future in getting a job easily.

Yeah that's the most difficult part that how to begin and apply. Because mostly summer internships in first year are found by personal links and references. Here i shall tell you that how i applied for internship in first year. I went to three companies in my city, Met their managers and requested them to grant me an internship during summer. For example i went to local manufacturing facility of Coca Cola in my city. I prepared a Resume along with an attractive cover letter in which i stated the benefits company will get from me and the benefits which i shall get from the company as it was near to my residence. I requested him and got a positive response. He was quite impressed with my CV and cover letter and offered me internship in Summer vacations.