How to Present Your Graduate School Plans on Your Resume for Internships

When applying for internships while intending to attend graduate school, it's best to briefly mention your graduate school plans on your resume. This shows the employer that you have long-term career goals and are proactively planning your professional development. Here are some recommendations for how to handle this on your resume:

Including Your Graduate School Plans in the Resume

Include a line under your Education section stating something like:

Education:
University of XYZ, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Expected Graduation: May 2024
(mention your plans for graduate school here)

Additionally, consider adding a short Career Objective or Summary statement at the top of your resume that references your graduate school intentions. For example:

Career Objective:
Dedicated student and aspiring graduate from XYZ University seeking a challenging internship that will further develop my technical skills and align with my goal of pursuing an MBA at the University of South Florida expected 2024.

The key is to keep the focus on your relevant skills and experiences for the internship. Make the employer aware of your future graduate studies without making them the central focus. This shows you are a motivated candidate with a clear career path, which can be appealing to internship providers.

Mentioning Your Plans in the Interview

If you do get an interview, it's acceptable to mention your plans for graduate school. This can be a strategic choice, especially if the company aligns well with your desired graduate program. Highlight how your internship aligns with your graduate school goals, and emphasize relevant skills and experiences.

Say something like:

Thank you for the opportunity to interview. I'm excited about the prospect of working with a team that values both technical skills and innovative thinking. Moving forward, I intend to pursue an MBA at the University of South Florida to further my career as a technical leader in my field.

Why Not Mentioning Your Plans on the Resume is Sometimes Best

While mentioning your graduate school plans in your resume can sometimes be beneficial, it's important to consider the context of the company you're applying to. Some companies may not offer full-time positions after an internship, which could be a misalignment of expectations. Here are some reasons why it might not be advisable to mention your plans on the resume:

Company Focus: Companies that are focused on hiring full-time graduates may value a commitment to staying with them. Mentioning your plans could be seen as a lack of long-term commitment. Misalignment with Internship Goals: If the internship is to gain specific skills or expertise that will be beneficial for the full-time position, it's better to focus on how you can contribute to the company during the internship. Respect for the Internship: It shows respect for the time and resources the company is investing in you if you focus on the skills and experiences you can bring to the table during the internship.

Conclusion

To summarize, the key to presenting your graduate school plans on your resume for internships is to do so strategically. Mention your plans briefly in the Education section or the Career Objective, but keep the focus on your relevant skills and experiences. For additional resume advice, check out my Quora Profile!

Keywords: internship resume, graduate school plans, career development