Internship or a part-time job? And other questions... :D

Question

Hi Everyone! :] I'm new here, and seeking advice. Here's the deal. For those who don't know me, I am currently a college freshman rising sophomore. I know that working for internship is great because you learn the skills, get the experience and etc etc about your major. In my case, however, there aren't many internships that are for freshmen or sophomores. The internships are mostly juniors and seniors. No, I am not going out of state just to work on an internship because it's waaaaay to expensive for me.

If, I mean a big huge IF, if I don't find any internships or get any internships, will it be alright if I get two part-time jobs during my summer to earn enough cash to pay for my books, and other college materials that I need? Will it look bad in my resume that I worked at two part-time jobs instead of working on an internship to the graduate schools that I want to apply to? In my sophomore year, is it okay if I'm a Finance research assistant instead of working on the internship during my sophomore year? Or should I do the internship instead of the research assistant? Or both? I don't have my schedule with me at the moment for next year, but I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Those are the questions for now. :] There will be more silly questions I will ask. :/ Sorry! I guess my excuse is...I'm only a freshman? Just kidding just kidding!

Thanks again! :] Have a nice day!

dabots · Answer

are you planning to work a few years before applying? if you are, nobody will care about what you did your freshman/sophomore summer. all my internships only amounted to a blip on the application (a couple lines in my resume). you should be more concerned about what path will lead to a good fulltime job.

3underscore · Answer

Just work and don't put it on your resume that big. I am trying to remember, and I think my resume did mention working in a bar when I graduated (I worked about 20hrs a week through school as well). But it really doesn't matter. The alternative to working part time (given no internship) is sitting at home watching daytime TV, isn't it?

westsider · Answer

Wow 3under, That TV watching option sounds pretty good. I am, however, guessing that shouldn't go on the old resume.

TheRiskTaker · Answer

No, I'm going to apply right after college because I won't be able to do it when I'm 30. I have other plans. That's why I'm asking. What do you mean what path will lead to a good full-time job? Besides I rather work in a place that makes me happy instead of just a good full-time job.

TheRiskTaker · Answer

I don't understand why can't you put your part time job on the resume? Do Graduate Schools look down on that or something? Ha ha sit home and watch tv? :] Maybe for you, but not for me.

TheRiskTaker · Answer

True that.

terry12 · Answer

First, I agree with everyone else that it's great to think about these things at such an early stage. And I completely agree with your statement: you should want to have a job that makes you happy instead of taking a position that just looks good on a resume. I wanted to ask, though, about your intention to apply right after college. Is there a reason why you won't be able to wait 2, 3, or 4 years before applying to business school? Even if you work for 4 years before business school (assuming you'll be 22 when you get your undergrad degree), you'd still only be 28 by the time you finished your MBA. That seems like a reasonable age to me, though I acknowledge my old age makes 28 seem relatively young :-D

I'm stressing this point because getting into business school out of undergrad can be quite difficult. There are only a few schools among the "elites" and "ultra-elites" that routinely accept students directly out of undergrad: Harvard and Stanford (I think Wharton might be trending in this direction as well). And even then, there aren't a lot of people at these schools without post-undergrad work experience. I think there were ~3 or 4 at Stanford's R1 Admit Weekend. All of these guys had gone to top-5 undergrads and had impressive internships and/or entrepreneurial experience. Similar story at HBS from what I heard. I don't think most of the other top 20 schools accept many (any?) students straight out of undergrad. If anyone has any conflicting data, please post it. So, if you're thinking about heading straight to MBA out of undergrad, you actually do need to start getting your resume in order now. You won't have any full-time experience to talk about in your application and interviews; it's all going to be about internships, co-ops, and entrepreneurial experience. In other words, you need to start getting the "prestige" points on your resume now, through summer positions, leadership in extracurriculars, start-ups, etc. If, on the other hand, you're able to wait a few years before applying, the emphasis will be on your post-undergrad work experience. They'll take a look at your internships and extracurriculars, but no one will attach much importance to what you did between freshman and sophomore year. I certainly don't mean to be discouraging in any way, just trying to be helpful. Again, I think it's great that you're thinking about this stuff so soon

TheRiskTaker · Answer

Hi Terry! Ha ha well you see once I graduate from college I'll be 23 years old. You're being way too modest, Terry!

To answer your question why I want to apply right after college. Well, I was thinking about having a family with lots of kids some day. You know how every girl plans for her wedding day story right? Besides, I don't want to wait too long to get marry and not be able to spend time with my kids, cook, clean, etc :]. Besides I want to get married. If I didn't, that be the whole another story and that's when I would wait for another 2, 3, or 4 years.

I started my resume since last fall semester. I am a treasurer, traffic director ( maybe soon to be financial manager), math tutor, and a DJ in the ECs areas. Some of these positions might seem bizarre I guess to see on an applicant, like a DJ. It's what I love to do. Listen, dance, and play the music in my radio show and talking to people. It's a way I can express myself. I am planning to be a research assistant at my college to learn about Finance next fall semester. I'll keep you up to date!

About summer positions, I've been trying to look for internship for rising sophomores, but it seems to be only for juniors and seniors. I just have to search a little longer, I guess. In the mean time, I might apply to two work-time jobs like a receptionist and an employee at my favorite store. I'll just have to find ways to make more connections and find internships a little better.

Again, Terry, thank you for giving me some advice! :]

Internship or a part-time job? And other questions... :D

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