better to graduate now or gain more experience before graduating?

[skim milk]

Not counting my one year study abroad experience, I'm a senior

I'm looking at graduating in Fall 2007 or Spring 2008 (only one semester apart but I really wanna get out of college.. I've been here too long)
All my friends are already out in the real world gaining real world experience so I feel behind

I have several options that I'm considering:
Choice A) If I obtain a summer internship, graduate in Fall 2007 and go full time
Choice B) If I fail to obtain a summer internship, graduate in Fall 2007 anyway and go full time
Choice C) If I obtain a summer internship, graduate in Spring 2008 and do all the programs that will provide me with more experience (research, company sponsored program, etc.)
Choice D) If I fail to obtain a summer internship, graduate in Spring 2008 but use the two semesters to gain valuable experience.. as mentioned in Choice C

I guess it boils down to if I get a good summer internship or not.. I want to graduate in Fall but should I stay until Spring even with the summer internship experience or is that unncessary?
thoughts?

 

[Aimster]

degree is worthless without experience

I mean you can get a job without experience with a degree but it will be very low-pay.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: Aimster
degree is worthless without experience

I mean you can get a job without experience with a degree but it will be very low-pay.

so you think it's better to stay until next Spring semester even with a summer internship??
or will it be more wise to enter the workforce in Fall sinice the summer internship experience should be plenty to land a good full time offer?

 

[kedlav]

Depends on major. For engineering, CS, and other applied fields, the internship will help if it directly relates to what you'll eventually be applying for. For most other majors, it doesn't mean much in the big picture

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: kedlav
Depends on major. For engineering, CS, and other applied fields, the internship will help if it directly relates to what you'll eventually be applying for. For most other majors, it doesn't mean much in the big picture

my major is similar to MIS/BIS/DIS
not as technical as engineering or CS but still considered technical

 

[Chaotic42]

Forgive me if this post is worded weirdly, I'm medicated.

I'm only 24, and I've only been in the professional world for about 4 years, but I've noticed that on the employer's end, a degree doesn't mean a whole lot. Yes, you're obviously smart, but most degrees aren't really that hard to get. What they'll want is someone who can learn quickly, work on their own, and have the ability to think and reason.

Professional experience is *nice*. I hear people say "I have experience with software X". What that means is that they've seen it, know it's name, and have maybe learned how to open a file in it. Someone who understands the software and can use it productively is very valuable.

That's just what I've noticed after working for small, medium, and super-giant companies.

 

[The Stigenator]

get some experience.. i am getting shafted by not having any..