Career Services Quarter to Semester Transition
Cal Poly is transitioning from a quarter to a semester calendar beginning fall 2026. This change affects our academic schedule and the timing of recruitment and career planning. Career Services is here to support students, employers, and campus partners throughout this transition.
What's Changing?
Starting in fall 2026, Cal Poly will adopt a semester calendar, aligning our academic schedule more closely with other institutions and providing expanded opportunities for deeper learning and professional development.
This shift will result in a shorter summer break during summer 2026. While the change opens exciting long-term benefits, we recognize it brings unique challenges in the short term — particularly for students seeking internships and employers looking to recruit top Cal Poly talent.
For Students: Navigating Your Shorter Summer
We understand that a shorter summer in 2026 may impact internship and job planning. Career Services is here to help you stay on track and career ready.
What You Need to Know
- Summer 2026 will be shorter than usual. Summer is 10-weeks (June 14 - Aug 14) reducing the time available for traditional internships.
- Internships may need to be adjusted in timing, duration, or format (e.g. joining virtually for the first or last weeks). Micro-internships, project-based work, and part-time roles may be more accessible options.
- Early planning is key. Employers may begin recruiting earlier, so make sure your resume is polished and you're actively applying.
What You Can Do
- Professional communication with employers about availability and timing.
- Be strategic about when/how you share about your short summer during interviews.Be honest but wait until discussing your availability before you share about the shorter summer. Let the employers build interest in you first, then problem-solve dates.
- Engage with us!
- Workshops and events: Attend specialized sessions on navigating short-term summer opportunities and semester-ready strategies.
- Career counseling: Book one-on-one appointments with your career counselor to build flexible job and internship plans.
- Check out our "Making the Most of Your Summer Tip Sheet" for more ways to stay committed to your career development.
Additional Tips and Resources
- Explore with your faculty adjusted scheduling for your spring finals.
- Pursue a micro-internship (Parker Dewey).
- Consider spending spring quarter completing a co-op or fellowship.
- Consult with your academic advisor to determine if this is something you can do for credit as part of your major.
- If you are considering taking a quarter off consult with your retention advisor.
- Utilize the summer to gain relevant certifications for your major while doing a summer job that may not be major related.
- Volunteer and give back to your community! This is great resume building.
For Employers
What You Need to Know
- The transition to semesters may affect your recruitment timeline — especially if you're targeting summer 2026 internships or early career hiring.
- Cal Poly’s final spring quarter will end June 14, 2026, and our first fall semester will begin Aug. 24, 2026, meaning an abbreviated summer term for our students.
- Students will be encouraged to work with their academic advisors and faculty to support accommodation for their summer internship experiences.
What You Can Do
We encourage you to consider creative approaches to summer recruitment strategies, such as:
- Condensed summer internships.
- Flexible start and end dates.
- Shorter, project-based internship opportunities.
- Hybrid internship modalities.
- Micro-internships (short-term, professional assignments that enable students to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks; typically ranging from five to 40 hours of work).