Is it common to get job after graduation and try to get into top program?

[yoohooos]

I'm currently doubling major at Mines in Civil and Petroleum Engineering and will be graduating in one year (Fall 2016). I was planning to get a job as Reservoir Eng., or Drilling Eng, work for couple years then try to get into top grad program in Structural Eng., (ie Berkeley, Stanford, UIUC, UT, MIT). Anyone think this plan is possible? Or I should go to grad directly after I finish my UGrad? Any pros & cons? Any comments, advises are appreciate!

My stats:

Currently rank #2 in Petroleum, #1 in Civil

Research: in civil area, no petroleum research

GRE: Q170 V156 W4.0 

 

Edit: I transferred from SUNY Buffalo with 3.1 GPA repeated Gen Chem1, and Physics Calc-Base 1. Would these pre-eng course grad effect my chance?

Edited November 23, 2015 by yoohooos

[hahn-banach]

I'm not in petroleum, but in many fields, it is common to work for a year or two before going to graduate school. In my program, maybe 1/2 took time off, 1/2 went directly from undergrad.

[zipykido]

It's quite common for people to take a year or two off to get some industry experience before going onto grad school. In my opinion it usually strengthens your application since having real life experience is always a bonus. However, I find that the longer you spend out of the academic environment, the harder it is to get back into good academic habits. Also you'll take a tremendous pay cut with it, but if you come in with some savings from working you should be fine.