I was just laid off today. Going to grad school in the fall. What to do until then?

Graduate School
1

<p>After two years of working as a mechanical engineer, I was laid off. This is actually the 3rd layoff I've been through since starting. This time 25% of the company was let go. It really doesn't bother me at all since I was planning on quitting to go to graduate school in the fall, but this is a little earlier than I expected. </p>

<p>Any suggestions for what I should do until the fall? I don't want to apply for another full time job because it wouldn't look good leaving after 9 months. </p>

<p>I was thinking about maybe doing a summer internship and traveling until then. Are there any research opportunities I should look out for?</p>

2

<p>I'm sorry about the layoff. It's a really tough economy. Make sure you're collecting unemployment (if you're eligible)!!</p>

<p>I decided to go back to school in January 2009 to get my certificate in computer graphics technology (to enhance my skills and salary at my current job).</p>

<p>Have you been admitted to any schools yet? Could you try to get a part-time job similar to what you're doing near a school in the meantime? Not many schools will hire non-students for part-time research gigs (it's difficult; it's pure luck and connections if a professor/researcher wants to hire you).</p>

<p>My background isn't engineering, but maybe you can try to get contract work (engineering assignments that won't last a year) for additional money.</p>

3

<p>If you've already been accepted, maybe you could contact the school to see if you could start this spring instead.</p>

4

<p>
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Any suggestions for what I should do until the fall? I don't want to apply for another full time job because it wouldn't look good leaving after 9 months.

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<p>Wouldn't look good to who? Future employers? I don't think it would hurt you, espcially since you were laid off. If anything it might show that you were willing to give up a paying job for more education. Plus, future employers after grad school probably won't fear you leaving since you'll have your masters. If you don't want another job that's fine, but if you didn it wouldn't hurt anything.</p>

5

<p>Start rotations in the summer. Take advantage of this opportunity to do something fun/interesting. If you don't need the paycheck, volunteer opportunities might be cool. Or travel. If you want something professional, you could talk with Aerotek, Kelley, LabTemps or any of the other staffing companies about contract work. Contracts usually last less than a year, in three month increments.</p>

6

<p>Guidance from friends who've taken a semester off (or at least had about 8 month gap between schools)- It's very tough to find a job that it might not be worth the effort, just do something else productive like traveling or volunteering to bid your time. Work part-time to pay the bills if you have just enough cash to get you by.</p>