I am a second year undergraduate student and I am faced with a big dilemma. I want to continue directly to my third year and then go for a PhD, but on the other hand maybe it should be better to spend my third year in industry in a work placement. I would like to ask you the following: How important is work experience when doing applications for PhD placements? Is it necessary for me to spend one year in a placement, or I can go directly to my third year and apply for PhD with no problem at all?
You can apply and successful gain a PhD project directly following your final year, but it is preffered if you have some sort of work experience. What I did was apply for summer placements for during my summer holidays, and then I took a year out after I finished my degree to do more work in temporary lab jobs. Also I did a bit of travel, which seemed to impress more at interviews than the work experience!!
its all relative... its better if u go into industry - they may even be able to fund your phd if you establish a good raport with with them. Its all relative...
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