Dear Experts,
I just graduated and have been looking all summer for a job. An internship opportunity came up that is incredibly cool – HOWEVER, it doesn’t pay a dime. I accepted it and agreed to start in September. Since then, I got an interview and landed a job with a company this week. The job isn’t very exciting and the pay is really low. So, I’m wondering, should I stick with the cool internship or take the paying job?
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Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:
Q#268 Sounds like the internship is in your field. Chance of FT later? Don’t take job just b/c it’s a job. (@heatherhuhman)
Q#268 The internship is worth more in the long run. But if you need to get paid, there’s no shame in the other job (@gradversity)
Q#268 Intern v. paying job: If $ isnt the issue thn whichevr positions U better 4 mtng UR nxt career objective. (@RTResumepro)
Q#268 It all depends on if you can survive without an income. Or U could take a PT job while interning. (@beneubanks)
Q#268 U know answer in ur gut; do u need $? If not, give urself permission 2 follow heart. (@juliaerickson)
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3 Comments
I always recommend to young talent that they not take the first job just to be employed. The most important thing if you can make a non-financial decision is that you are learning and growing and applying your academic training for the first 12-18 months after graduation. If you can do this, and not job hop for the first 2-3 years, it should lead to a more ideal position as you get the real world training you need to get where you want to be in 3-5 years.
I always recommend to young talent that they not take the first job just to be employed. The most important thing if you can make a non-financial decision is that you are learning and growing and applying your academic training for the first 12-18 months after graduation. If you can do this, and not job hop for the first 2-3 years, it should lead to a more ideal position as you get the real world training you need to get where you want to be in 3-5 years.
I always recommend to young talent that they not take the first job just to be employed. The most important thing if you can make a non-financial decision is that you are learning and growing and applying your academic training for the first 12-18 months after graduation. If you can do this, and not job hop for the first 2-3 years, it should lead to a more ideal position as you get the real world training you need to get where you want to be in 3-5 years.