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When Cal Poly announced we were switching from quarters to semesters, I’ll admit I didn’t think much of it. I honestly thought this was going to be a good idea because I did not know much about the quarter system. I knew that a lot of people complained about the quarter system. However, after almost two years learning within the quarter system at Cal Poly, I have learned to love it. The fast-paced curriculum is what I thrive in. Cal Poly’s transition from the quarter system to the semester system has been framed as an academic restructuring. We will have longer terms, more midterms, and deeper course immersion. But beyond the classroom, the shift may have bigger implications, particularly for students relying on summer internships to build career experience.
For many students like myself, summer is not simply a break. It is the primary window for internships and industry exposure. As a journalism major preparing to apply for internships this summer, I began looking more closely at how the new calendar may affect that timeline.
Under the quarter system, Cal Poly’s academic year typically ends in June, with summer stretching through mid-September. The semester system shortens that window specifically for this summer. This years summer break will now run roughly from June to mid-August, — eliminating several weeks that previously allowed students flexibility at the end of internships.
While a month may not seem significant, most structured summer internships follow a standard timeframe. Many internships begin in late May or early June and run for 10 to 12 weeks, often lasting until the end of August. The traditional quarter schedule often aligned more comfortably with that framework. A later end date in August compresses availability, particularly if internships extend into late August or early September.
At a competitive school like Cal Poly, summer internships are often essential rather than optional, in order to compete in the competitive job market and differentiate yourself as a student. For example, a journalism major needs to gain hands-on experience that an internship could supplement; these opportunities provide published clips, newsroom exposure, and professional references. These are all critical within a competitive hiring environment.
Shortening the summer window may require students to negotiate earlier end dates, decline longer programs, or compete against students from universities whose calendars more closely match industry timelines. Some students may even need to begin internships before the spring quarter ends.
The larger issue is alignment. Universities operate on academic calendars, while employers operate on recruitment cycles. Those cycles are unlikely to adjust immediately in response to Cal Poly’s semester transition. That mismatch will create some challenges for students navigating the first few years of the semester system.
At the same time, the shift may offer long-term advantages. A semester system can allow for deeper academic focus and potentially more stability during the school year, which comes with the slower pacing. After all, most universities are on the semester system.
For now, students planning to intern this summer may need to approach the process strategically. This means applying early, communicating availability clearly, and exploring flexible or remote opportunities when needed.
Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy urges students to focus on real-world experience. As Cal Poly begins this new academic calendar, I hope it ensures students continued access to professional opportunities.
For students like me preparing to enter industries where experience often matters as much as coursework, this is more than just a calendar shift. It could shape the way Cal Poly students prepare for their careers.