Grad student seeking PhD: intern or not?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I have an internship for the summer in Germany (I live in the US). It seems like a nice internship, still somewhat boring (it's about trade finance). I have a one year of working experience in a think tank in my country and I did not have problems finding a job (I had a good offer before coming to US for my master, but I rejected it). I want to pursue a PhD in economics and I have been working on that, but I just don't see how getting an internship would increase my prospects to enter the PhD in a good school, or even how an internship in Germany would increase my prospects of finding a job (not looking for one) anywhere besides Germany (I don't plan to work or live there).</p>

<p>Could someone tell me if it is a good idea to do an internship if I plan to do the PhD?</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>Why did you pursue the internship in the first place? It doesn’t sound like you’re particularly thrilled about it (e.g., “boring”), and you don’t sound excited about Germany. You’re also pursuing a PhD, for which admissions are more interested in your research experience and capabilities for scholarly advancement in your field. Unless you’re very interested in that particular sub-field of trade finance (which doesn’t seem to be the case), or looking to build experience to pursue other jobs (which you said you aren’t), I would look for opportunities you’re excited about and motivated to participate in that will increase your likelihood of acceptance into a PhD program. You essentially answered your own question if you re-read your post.</p>