How Should a ChemE Major Spend the Summer After Freshman Year?

AI Thread Summary
Taking an economics course at a community college and working at a 4-H camp is a viable summer plan for a ChemE major, especially if the intention is to relax before pursuing internships. While some suggest that gaining practical experience through internships is beneficial, especially after the sophomore year, others emphasize the importance of reviewing academic material to prepare for upcoming classes. Self-studying calculus III and linear algebra is also recommended. Learning Matlab could be advantageous, although the individual primarily uses Maple and Python in their current coursework. Balancing relaxation with academic preparation appears to be a key focus for a productive summer.
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I plan on taking an economics course through my local community college and working at a 4-H camp. I kind of want to have at least one more summer just chilling at home before I do any internships, since I'd have to live at least an hour and a half away from home. I'm a chemE major in a state university. I'd also self-study calc III and linear algebra, then take both classes in the fall.

Is this a bad way to spend the summer? Should I try for an internship?
 
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May I suggest reviewing/applying what you have learned so far? It might prove beneficial in your upcoming classes. Otherwise, relax and enjoy summer (2011).
 
In my experience (one of my majors is via the college of engineering here), companies usually hire after the sophomore year. I would just read a lot, beef up on some of your courses (if you really want/need to) and enjoy yourself.
 
How well do you know Matlab? :wink:
 
I think I will try to get the summer camp job (8-4, 5 days a week) since I don't work during the school year. And it seems like a good idea to review what I learned during the past year.

^matlab, not at all. Should I spend time learning? We mainly use Maple in calculus and Python in physics at my school.
 
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