barista at City Brew in Billings...when you intend to go on to grad school, but not right away.

MBNA Career Services Center, University of Delaware
www.udel.edu/CSC

Why 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. f 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)

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.

  1. International Experiences
  1. The Environment/Conservation
  1. Internships/Fellowships
  1. Miscellaneous

  1. Research Assistant:  Work with professors in social sciences and sciences on grants (short-term, "soft money" positions).

  2. 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