Who can forget that feeling of freedom after finishing your last exam before summer? Once the stress of exams is over, doing more work is probably the last thing on your mind. I know that’s how I felt during my undergraduate years. Despite the initial temptation to just sit back and relax all summer, I usually ended up getting a summer job, and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I’d recommend it for everybody, and this is why:
Gain Experience
When you finish school and start looking for a job, GPA isn’t going to be the only thing employers look at. In my experience, most employers don’t really care about your GPA. They care more about your previous work experience. Of course, it’s helpful to find a job related to the career you’re interested in, so you shouldn’t limit your search to just jobs. A lot of companies have internship programs that might not pay as well as a full time job, but you’ll gain valuable experience that could help you land the job you really want after you graduate.
I’ve had a few different summer jobs and also did an internship this past summer. The internship actually paid better than my previous summer jobs, so I guess I got lucky there. They were all great experiences and as I’ve been interviewing for jobs, they almost always ask about my previous work experiences. Thanks to my summer jobs, I have something to talk about.
Reduce Your Loans
Another benefit of getting a summer job is that you’ll be earning income. If you can afford to save up some of that money, then you could use it to reduce your loans for the next school year. Chances are if you’re reading this blog, you’re trying to find ways to pay back or reduce your student loans. A summer job is definitely a step in the right direction.
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I agree completely on working a summer job. For the last few summers I’ve done various unpaid internships and also worked a job so I could get experience in my field and earn some cash. You may not earn a lot but every bit helps.
I completely agree! I myself have been on 4 internships (a little overboard, but hey it all worked out for me!) and they are totally worth it. I actually just wrote a short post on it on my site if you’re interested! Keep up the great work fellow grad student!