Research vs. Corporate Internship

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Hi. So I'm a freshman computer science student, and I'm planning on a research career in academia, like at a university or some national lab. But during my summers and during my open times, would it be more useful with that career in mind to do research or corporate internships? </p>

<p>My current vague thoughts are that it might be better to do corporate for frosh or soph year since research might be a bit over the top and I might not get as much out of it, but by junior or senior yr I should have the background to benefit more from research.</p>

<p>What are your thoughts? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>If you are trying to go in to academia (I assume you want/need to get a PhD), research experience is a must. I did research after my sophomore year when I was thinking about getting a PhD, but realized academia wasn’t for me. I then did a corporate internship after my junior year. </p>

<p>If you can start doing research now and keep doing it over future summers, I think that will look a lot better to grad schools than doing a corporate internship. Plus you’ll be able to get greats LORs.</p>