The year between undergrad and grad school

I'm planning on going to grad school a year after I graduate so I'm trying to figure out something productive to do during that year. I thought I should just get a job for the experience but most ads mention the position is part of a two year program or there is a tone that they want the candidate to be with them for a while. I need references from these people for when I apply to grad school but I don't want them to be pissed that I'm leaving after a year. I would essentially have to break the news to them within 3 months of starting to get my references in on time.

Should I apply to these jobs anyways? I really don't have any other options because I need an income. Maybe I should get a really long internship? Any input is appreciated.

8 Comments
 

I'm going for a quant/math finance type of degree so it will only take 1-1.5 years to complete. I am under the impression that work experience is not terribly important compared to getting an MBA.

 
Best Response
markhobbus I am under the impression that work experience is not terribly important compared to getting an MBA.
work experience is VERY necessary in order to get into a top 10 mba.
djfiiiIf you have an interest in living overseas, check out teaching English for a year in some country you'd like to visit. I have some friends that went to Japan, and they loved it. You'd have to inquire as to whether being there for only 1 year is an option, but if so, having some international experience on your resume - especially from a cultural perspective (i.e. having lived there), will always be with you and could benefit in ways you can't see yet.

How would you place living abroad on your resume? I might be in a similar situation and i could definitely visit my family in Poland for a few months and try to do there something work or volunteer wise. Ideas would be appreciated.

 

If you have an interest in living overseas, check out teaching English for a year in some country you'd like to visit. I have some friends that went to Japan, and they loved it. You'd have to inquire as to whether being there for only 1 year is an option, but if so, having some international experience on your resume - especially from a cultural perspective (i.e. having lived there), will always be with you and could benefit in ways you can't see yet.

 

Dicta nam ipsa aut nam consequuntur voluptatibus ipsa est. Rerum aspernatur quo ab in.

Similique neque culpa provident minima adipisci rerum in. Eius ea voluptates qui quod sint ipsum temporibus. Iste magni voluptas iste molestiae ea sit. Autem consectetur dolores recusandae doloribus minus.

Quam excepturi est rerum voluptatem praesentium. Dignissimos vitae a amet quam eligendi inventore est incidunt. In vitae dolorem praesentium iusto aperiam in. Quia qui et dolores unde necessitatibus et. Asperiores dicta voluptas dolore dolorem.

Laboriosam amet libero et numquam qui placeat. Est et officia sunt sit temporibus consequuntur non. Vero ipsam repudiandae qui maxime ex perspiciatis et. Fuga aut quos vel sit sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”