Navigating Career Decisions: Should I Inform My Manager About My Grad School Deferral?

As my internship comes to an end, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma that many recent graduates may relate to. After completing my undergraduate degree, I had every intention of continuing my education with a master’s program this fall. I secured my place at a respected university and even enrolled in classes, fully prepared to take on the next academic challenge.

Earlier this year, I completed a spring internship, motivated by the belief that I would be returning to school. This assumption is fairly standard, as most internships require students to be enrolled in a degree program. However, the changing job market has caused me to reassess my plans. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to postpone my graduate studies for at least a year. My university has graciously allowed me to defer my admission, and I have received a job offer with a start date in September—something I am seriously contemplating given the uncertainty of the job landscape.

Balancing these decisions is tricky. I’ve been telling colleagues and mentors that I would be starting my master’s program this year, but the reality is that I am facing some inner conflict about continuing with my plans. The only scenario in which I would reconsider attending grad school this year would be if I received a return offer from my current internship for a position on a different team that I find intriguing. However, this outcome seems unlikely, as that team has not hired anyone for two years.

This leads me to an important question: Should I disclose my decision to defer my graduate studies to my manager? Furthermore, would it be appropriate to discuss my interest in a potential return offer on the team I aspire to join?

If you’ve faced a similar crossroads in your career, I’d love to hear your insight. How did you navigate these discussions and decisions? Sharing experiences could greatly assist individuals in similar situations.