<p>What are the common plans for students during the summer between their undergrad and grad degree? I have recently been admitted to many grad schools for engineering and will be excited to attend one of them. However, the last big question is: What should I do over the summer?</p>
<p>I am finding it difficult to get an internship now that I'll be graduating. Ironically, I'm getting the feeling that companies prefer to hire interns that are currently in there undergrad, not individuals who just graduated. In fact, I have had a few problems with HR people at some companies - they suggested that internships are for current undergrads and I should be applying for a full time job since I am graduating. </p>
<p>I would be interested in working as a R.A. over the summer for the grad school that I ultimately choose to attend. Is this common? How would I pursue this? This would be very beneficial for me since I have no previous research experience and I will be enrolling is a thesis-based MS degree. Even if the pay was low, I would want to do this to get to know my program, advisers, and the general atmosphere.</p>
<p>So, my main questions are:</p>
<p>What are common summer plans in-between undergrad and grad school?</p>
<p>Is it possible/common to work as an R.A. in the summer for the university I will be attending (even though I technically wouldn't be a student until the fall term)?</p>
<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>You can start early, and if you’re doing a research program and don’t want a break from work for a few months it’s a great way to get a leg up.</p>
<p>You might have better luck with companies if you let them know you’re pursuing a MS and not a PhD. If you hear someone is going to graduate school, you don’t expect them to graduate for 5+ years. For them, there’s not a whole lot of reason to let someone that won’t be available for a number of years intern, since it’s likely they won’t be able to spend future summers interning. However, if you’re doing a 1-2 year MS program there’s a much better chance you’ll stay connected with the company and want to work there after graduating (one of the real reasons intern programs exist).</p>
<p>IMO you should take it easy during Summer. Do some really fun things and unwind.</p>
<p>Grad school is going to keep you extremely busy for 2-6 years (depending on whether you’re pursuing a masters or doctorate). So enjoy the downtime.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful advice!</p>
<p>RacinReaver: That makes sense. In my cover letter, I’ve mentioned grad school but did not specify an M.S. degree. There’s probably a huge difference in how they perceive a PhD to how they perceive an MS. Thanks.</p>
<p>nwcrazy: I am actually strongly considering this option. My cousin (who has a PhD) took a whole year off to travel. I have some buddies just having fun and rebuilding over the summer in order to go into grad school well rested. However, do grad schools look down on students who decide to be unproductive over the summer? They already accepted me so I guess it wouldn’t matter technically. </p>
<p>If anyone else did research, or traveled, or interned, or just had fun over the summer please share your story. I’m really debating what I should do.</p>
<p>You’re already in, and it’s only a couple of months. I vote for relax! I worked for a couple years before my MA, but left my job at the end of May and took the summer off to de-stress and (sorta) brush up on language skills before starting school at the end of August. Technically I was working on my language skills so I can say that I was “preparing,” but probably 75% of my time was spent just relaxing and catching up on things I hadn’t had time to do while working (lots of reading fiction, for one thing). Travel is probably even better because it not only is a great excuse, but you can have amazing experiences.</p>
<p>I returned home and spend the summer reading and relaxing. I had never gone home for any summer before that one, but I couldn’t find a light summer job to afford rent and - I didn’t want to. So I just saved up some money during my last semester and used that as spending money while I stayed at home.</p>
<p>You could also start your research early - check with your PI.</p>