<p>I am a sophomore studying electrical engineering at the University of Southern California. I am actively searching for an internship for the summer of 2013. I also applied to study abroad in Paris during the summer. If I were to be accepted to study abroad and I were also to get an internship offer, which would you recommend?</p>
<p>Also, my school offers the Progressive degree program which will allow me to get my M.S. in one year. Do companies look down upon people who obtain both their bachelor's and masters from the same school?</p>
<p>It depends, really. </p>
<p>First, not all study abroad programs are equal. Some are language-oriented, some are major-specific, and some are just an excuse to take an extended vacation. </p>
<p>There are some circumstances where it will be particularly helpful:
- You’re studying the local language & would like to work where that language is spoken after graduation
- Your program is major-specific, perhaps involving some kind of collaboration with local businesses related to your major
- You are doing some kind of volunteer work</p>
<p>You have to do at least one internship, it’s just bad news to graduate with no experience. If you will do a good internship later, a study abroad might be a good option if it meets one of the 3 categories I listed. If it doesn’t, it won’t look bad on your resume but it won’t help it much either. In that case, you would be better off career-wise to do the internship. At the same time, college is the only chance in your life you’ll really get to do stuff like study abroad, so while you might not end up better off in terms of job prospects, you might really enjoy yourself and have an experience you will remember forever.</p>
<p>@KamelAkbar
The study abroad program is hosted by Viterbi School of Engineering so I will be able to take two classes related to my major while exploring Paris and learning about its culture.
I’m leaning towards studying abroad because I am positive I will be able to get an internship my junior year. However, advice like yours is really insightful and helpful in my ultimate decision.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say it would be a bad idea to go, but it most likely won’t do much for your job prospects.</p>
<p>You’ll be working for the next 50 years. Go to Paris. Be serious about it and try to get a recommendation before you come back so it doesn’t look like a vacation.</p>