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February 12, 2008
Deciding Between Summer Opportunities
Here at the Career Center we are in the thick of internship season. Just yesterday Target was interviewing for their Business Analyst Intern position, and we have more interviewers using our facilities soon.
But as recruiters' decisions start being made, very soon you will have to make some decisions of your own as you sift through the "yes" pile.
Before you accept any offer, be sure to ask yourself (and your recruiter) some specific questions, because your decision should only be made with the most information possible.
But that information is more than the name of the office! A good internship isn't one that is with a prestigious company, its one that is filled with great opportunities to learn and grow within an industry you are interested in.
So be sure you are fully aware of what those opportunities are going to be before you give up other opportunities for one.
For example, last summer I had to turn down interview invitations with Congressional offices because I had already accepted a criminal law based internship. Despite how great it would be to work on Capitol Hill, I was confident in nicely saying "no thank you" because I knew my "less prestigious" opportunity was going to be filled with better opportunities to get involved and have an impact than on the Hill.
So think about what the experiences entail before you give any answer, because a good experience is only so if it truly is one that provides you with opportunities to develop and exhibit important professional skills.
Posted by glauchni at February 12, 2008 01:39 PM