Post-pone graduation for summer internship?

[cardsgirl502]

I'll keep this short, sweet, and to the point:

 

• Potentially graduating Masters program August 2015.
• Offered an amazing internship in Alaska with the agency I want to work for after I graduate.
• Taking internship would push graduation date back to December 2015.
• Same tuition cost either way and internship provides travel/ living expenses. 

 

In all honesty, I am no academic and I just want to get to work. I only am getting a Masters so I can eventually move up in my career, not for the love of research (shocking, I know). The responsible thing would be to finish my degree as soon as possible, BUT I would have to move back home since I go to school in a different city and my assistantship (rent $) ends this May. It is not likely I will get a job in my field if I move home or stay in my grad school city. The internship is an AMAZING experience that I am not sure will come around again and would look great on my resume. I did an internship last summer and I loved it. So...

 

Is it bad to delay graduating if it means I get a great experience? Will employers care that much? 

 

[Russophile]

Honestly, it seems like these days anything that gets you ahead with the company you want to work for is worth it.  Will an internship with them make you more likely to get a job with them afterwards? If they tend to hire from their internship ranks, then it seems to me that it might be worthy of your consideration.

[attackonthedoctor]

Have you talked with the potential employer? Is it possible to have your internship after graduation or must you be a current student to accept the position?

 

If you have and you need to be student to take the internship, I say go for it.  Otherwise, I would try to finish the Master's then take the internship.  Who knows, if they really want you, that internship could turn into a full-time employment position.

 

Just my own thoughts.

[mockturtle]

I don't think postponing graduation by a semester would reflect poorly on you at all, especially if your academics are decent. I think the only way it even possibly *could* be a negative would be if it was the clear result of some failure on your part, which it won't be. If an employer asked, I don't think this would be a poor justification, either. 

Especially considering that this is a place you'd like to work post-grad, the opportunity to make a good impression with an internship could be super valuable. I say go for it, and congrats!

[newguy2]

Did you end up making a decision? I am actually in the same position. I was presented an opportunity to do a research internship/study aboard in England for the summer, but this would delay my graduation until August (rather than May as I had intended). Like you, I am not an academic and have been looking to get to work as soon as possible. I don't know if I should take it (and delay gradutation) or wait out for job opportunities. It would be great to hear your perspective and/or decision.

[sunroza]

I would definitely grab the opportunity. Experience is so important on your resumes these days. I haven't landed any internships so far and I really think that not having internship and work experience is the biggest barrier for finding a job.