Graduation Date Delayed - Job Offer Accepted

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

Hello,

I am in a bit of a situation that I need some advice in. I received and accepted a full-time offer from a company this spring semester, that has a start date of August . Before the fall semester, I was planning on earning my undergraduate degree in May but I was forced to drop one of my classes for my major this semester and now my graduation date (3 weeks away) will have to be delayed to the following fall 2015 semester. The classes that I need to graduation are not offered in the summer so I can not complete it then.

I was a part of and completed this company’s internship program last summer and performed very well and had many positive reviews coming from full-time professionals including the internship program coordinator. Throughout the interview process for this full-time opportunity, they continued to give my good praise and really wanted me to be apart of their company.

What is the best way to approach letting my hiring manager know that my graduation date has now been delayed?
Should I ask if I can be considered for the internship program this summer again?
Will the delay of my graduation due to a necessary drop of my class negatively affect my relations with this company that I would love to work for in the future?

Any information and advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

2

Talk to your major’s department to see if there is anything you can do finish your degree in the summer. Perhaps, they will allow you to petition another course offered in the summer to take place of the course you need to graduate. It’s a long shot, but you don’t lose anything by asking.

Then just let the company know the situation. They may still be willing to allow you to work part-time or near full-time while you complete your degree. If you’re only taking one class and the job is near your university, you may be able to still work during that time–perhaps you will be doing mostly training in the beginning anyway. They may be willing to postpone your start date. Be professional, apologetic, willing to work with them, and very clear about how much you want to work with them.