Transitional, Temporary, In the Meantime
Jobs.
.......when you intend to go on to grad school, but not right
away.
MBNA Career Services Center, University of Delaware
www.udel.edu/CSCWhy take a transitional job?
1. You aren’t sure when, where, or how you want to go to graduate school
but know that it’s in the cards at a date some time in the near future.
2. You want/need some additional experience to build your résumé,
solidify your career goals, or figure out what sort of graduate school
program would suit your needs.
3. You want to have some unique experiences before you "settle down" to
the world of 9-5 jobs or all-consuming grind of graduate school or
professional school.
4. You need to establish residency in a particular state to reduce
tuition costs for graduate school.
Why forfeit a transitional job?
1. You need a job that pays well.
2. You want a position that has the potential to advance your career in
one organization.
3. You need a secure position with a good benefit package.
Things to consider when you are planning to take a "year off."
1. Identify two or more professors to serve as reference writers for
your graduate school or law school application. If you believe that their
recollection of you will be as fresh when you apply for graduate school as
now, then email or call them when the time comes to get letters of
recommendation. If not, establish a Credential File at Career Services. At
your request, Career Services will seal the confidential letters in
envelopes for you to send with your application or CS will send them
directly to the graduate program.
2. Pick up forms before you leave campus so that you can request your
Credential File and your official transcripts. Be sure to keep your Campus
Telephone Directory so you can make necessary phone calls and email
appropriate people.
3. Get your résumé in shape so that it can be easily "tweaked" for
graduate school applications.
4. Take the appropriate standardized tests. Studies show that student
scores on the LSAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. tend be lower when an individual has
taken "time off." Taking these tests when you are still in a test-taking mindset can be helpful.
5. If your GPA was a factor in your hesitation about applying to graduate
school (or rejection), taking a graduate class as a continuing
education student (and doing "A" work) will help you in applying or reapplying.
6. If you must take a "survival" job, unrelated to your field,
try to volunteer in a related
organization to demonstrate your commitment
and build your experience.
7. If you aren’t covered by a COBRA or other health insurance
policy, investigate short-term
catastrophic health policies that would cover
emergency room and hospitalization.
Types of transitional/temporary positions:
1. Service (all one year programs except Peace Corps and Teach For
America)
• Peace Corps www.peacecorps.gov
• AmeriCorps
www.americorps.org
• VISTA www.americorps.org/vista
• NCCC
www.americorps.org/nccc
• Public Allies
www.publicallies.org
• Teach For America
www.teachforamerica.org
These programs provide a stipend between $9,000 and $15,000
annually along with a grant of nearly $5000 to be applied to graduate school or
to pay back other student loans.
• Avodah: Jewish Service Corps
www.avodah.net
•
Catholic Volunteer Services
www.cnvs.org
• Global Volunteer Network
www.volunteer.org.nz
• United Way Community Fellows
www.unitedway.org/jobs/fellows.cfm
• City year
www.cityyear.org
• Peacework Development Fund
www.peacework.org
• United Nations Volunteers
www.unv.org
• CORO
www.coro.org
2. International
Experiences
• BUNAC
www.bunac.org
• Council on International Exchange
www.ciee.org
• AISEC- internships around the worldwww.aisec.org
• Global Service Corps
www.globalservicecorps.org
• Projects Abroad
www.projects-abroad.org
• One Small Planet
www.onesmallplanet.com
3. The
Environment/Conservation
• Green Corps
www.enviroweb.org
• The Student Conservation Association
www.rsinternships.com
• Youthbuild USA
www.youthbuild.org
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fws.gov
• Chicago Botanic Garden
www.chicagobotanic.org
• School for Field Studies www.fieldstudies.org
4.
Internships/Fellowships
• Fund for Public Interest Research www.ffpir.org
• Steppingstone Fellowships
www.tsf.org
• College Plus One
www.twc.edu/Internships/Areas
• Coro Fellows in Public Affairs
www.coro.org
• National Internships, Fellowships, Scholarships
www.evergreen.edu/research/intern.htm
• Idealist
www.idealist.com
• The Population Institute
www.populationinstitute.org
• Washington Semester Programs
www.washingtonsemester.com
5. Miscellaneous
• Nanny
www.nanniesplus.com
• Tour guide
www.adventurecycling.org
• Therapeutic Youth Alternatives
www.eckerd.org
• Various options
www.backdoorjobs.com
6. Research Assistant: Work with professors in social sciences and
sciences on grants (short-term, "soft money" positions).
7. Staffing Agencies: Temporary work in a new city can lead to
contacts, networking, employment, and residency. Typical types of
temporary jobs include:
• Industrial
• Medical
• Office/clerical
• Technical Services
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