http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/aftercollege Questions tagged with 'aftercollege' at Ask MetaFilter. Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:17:40 -0800 Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:17:40 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/31527/Working%2DMan How will grad schools and employers react if I take a year off to work after college? I'm just finishing an undergraduate degree in applied physics. I enjoyed school and research, but I want a break to work a bit before going back for five more years of grad school in engineering or physics. I've been looking at primarily teaching/public service programs (Teach for America type), consulting jobs, and national research research labs (though the national labs aren't 1-2 year commitments, they seem to have good provision for taking time off for grad school). One cool possibility in particular is an offer I have to TA a physics class at a remote campus of a major US university in Doha, Qatar.<br> <br> If I apply to grad schools after two years of these jobs, will I be at a disadvantage in the admissions process? Are there certain kinds of work that would be better/worse? Also, given all I've heard about people in similar situations who intend to go to grad school and then get sucked into work (and $$), if I decide while I'm working that grad school isn't for me, how will potential employers view my experience?<br> <br> If it helps, I have a good GPA &amp; GRE scores, a failry solid research background and a long list of extracurriculars. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2006:site.31527 Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:17:40 -0800 aftercollege bargex