Internship vs. Classes

Parents Forum
1

<p>Background: I'm a rising high school junior. During the course of sophomore year, I participated in a free program at a university where high school students can take classes (one per semester) taught by grad students every Saturday. The available classes for the most part sound interesting, but the two classes I took were not anywhere near as good as I'd hoped they would be. I found myself bored more often than not even though I normally enjoy classes relating to such topics (e.g. on Coursera). My friends who took different classes felt similarly as I did, and I have only heard of one or two classes that most people enjoyed.</p>

<p>For the summer, I have an unpaid internship which I have been really enjoying. The work itself that I do is not terribly interesting because I mostly just help out running the experiments, collecting data, and of course, washing glassware. However, I feel that I've been learning a lot from this experience because of what the other people working there have taught me and what I've gained from asking questions, etc., and because of the workplace culture, it's been fun in general.</p>

<p>Next summer and for the duration of senior year, due to a program at my school, I will most likely be doing a different internship, one where I'll be able to contribute more meaningfully than my current one. </p>

<p>Problem: During the school year, I have a very tight and limited schedule so I will only have time for either the classes or the internship (they would be at the same time, on Saturday).</p>

<p>If I do the internship, I'm not sure how much value I would get out of only working there 3 hours a week, when I'm currently working there 6 hours a day. I'm also scared to drop the classes because if I opt out of the program even for a semester, I can never return to it, and I don't want this to be a decision I regret. </p>

<p>If I take the classes, I don't know how much value I'd get out of those. I also don't want to lose out on a chance to continue this internship.</p>

<p>Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Are you getting college credit for those classes? Will those credits transfer? Are the classes in core subjects or just “elective” topics? What are the classes about?</p>

3

<p>The classes are not for college credit. The course topics vary but some examples are nanoscience, energy as it relates to the economy, intro to neuroscience, intro to solid-state physics, etc. So basically they are on elective topics, if I understand you correctly, and they’re all science courses.</p>

4

<p>It sounds as if you’re seriously interested in science. I suggest you continue with the internship and use that time to develop a line of research you could present at a regional science fair. Talk with your internship supervisor, or with grad students or faculty members in the lab to explore the possibilities. You can learn an enormous amount from implementing and presenting a research project of your own. This will involve reading and synthesizing some recent research in the field, so overall, the experience could be far more valuable than taking a Saturday class. </p>

<p>Moreover, when it’s time to apply to colleges, the long-term commitment to hands-on research will demonstrate your passion for science far more than a list of elective, non-credit Saturday classes.</p>

5

<p>I agree, sounds like the internship is the better route.</p>

6

<p>I’d go for the internship, personally. You’re not finding the classes particularly interesting and they don’t “count” for anything. The internship sounds like a much better choice.</p>

7

<p>Thank you for the advice, everyone! My one concern - and this is likely something I’d have to talk to my mentor about - is that I’m not sure if I’d be able to get much out of only 3 hours a week or so at the internship.</p>

8

<p>My older son took Saturday classes for high school students at Columbia University one semester. He enjoyed his class, but didn’t see others he wanted to take so the next year he just did comp sci projects on his own on weekends. It don’t think it hurt him at all - he got into some top colleges. I think you’d probably be much better off with the internship. It’s possible that even though it’s only three hours that with your summer experience they may be able to get you involved in more interesting projects. Especially if you can give more time during school breaks.</p>

9

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<p>Well, you’ll get more out of three hours than you will out of zero.</p>