Should I Take a Summer Off for My Own Interests?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of a fourth-year mechanical engineering student contemplating whether to take a summer off to pursue personal interests, such as traveling or biking, instead of seeking another internship. The scope includes considerations of career implications, employer perceptions, and personal fulfillment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that taking a summer off may not be viewed negatively by employers, arguing that the interviewer is likely to understand the value of personal time.
  • Another participant emphasizes that if the student does not need the money and lacks a compelling internship opportunity, taking time off is advisable.
  • Concerns are raised about the perception of taking extended time off, with one participant noting that a longer absence might require a more substantial explanation to potential employers or graduate schools.
  • A later reply expresses relief and validation, indicating that the student feels reassured by the feedback received.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that taking a summer off is acceptable and unlikely to harm the student's job prospects, though there is some caution regarding longer absences.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of taking time off without resolving the nuances of how different employers may perceive such decisions.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in engineering or similar fields considering career decisions post-graduation, particularly those weighing personal interests against professional opportunities.

ehilge
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Hey all,
I'm a 4th year ME and will graduate in December 2012. I'm trying to decide what I want to do next summer. I've completed both an internship and a co-op with different companies over the last year, but neither I really want to work with full time for various reasons. I also have good grades and I'm involved in research and student activities. The logical decision would be to look for another internship, but frankly, I'm sort of tired of being 'the intern'. I'd rather just get on into the real world instead of getting handed whatever left over projects are around. So I'm bouncing around a couple of ideas next summer like doing some traveling or completing a lengthy bike tour with a friend of mine. My concern is that when I'm looking for that full time job, companies will perceive that as sloth or lack of ambitions, something to that affect. I feel like I have enough other stuff going for me, one summer off shouldn't be a problem. But I'm not sure, what do you think, would there be any issues with taking a 'summer off' to pursue some of my own interests?
 
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The guy interviewing you 14 months from now looking over your resume and seeing ONE summer off isn't all that different than you, just older. Rather than asking yourself whether companies will see you as a slacker for taking a summer off to ride your bike, ask yourself whether or not you want to work for someone who thinks taking time off to travel when you're young is a waste of time. That person would be a psychopath, and a terrible person to work for. If you don't need the money, and you don't have an internship lined up that is too good to turn down, TAKE THE TIME OFF!
 
A few months off after completing your degree is not that strange. I don't think it would be a problem, and it's easy enough to explain why you took the time off.

If you were taking off 6 months to a year, then the situation may be different. Perhaps an employer or grad school would want a better explanation for that much time off, but I doubt any employer would give you trouble for taking a summer vacation after you graduate.
 
Thanks, that's basically what I figured, I just needed to hear it from someone else.
 

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