<p>Hello, I recently posted a similar post in the Internship forum on this exact situation, but I wanted to get the opinion of people who have been in the workforce longer.</p>
<p>Basically, I'm a junior at a large state university and received an offer from an Insurance company for an internship in early November, and I accepted it as it was my only offer by the time of their deadline. Fast forward to last week, and I received an offer from a large Silicon Valley that I believe would be a better fit for me, considering how influential that area is (I'm a CS major) and that the pay is better. It is also a company I would consider working for after graduation.</p>
<p>Now, my question is: How bad is it to rescind my acceptance of the Insurance company's offer for this new offer? Because both positions start in May, I figured they would have plenty of time to replace me. I really didn't think about it too much until some of the comments on my last post in the Internship forum (which I assume are fellow college students), brought it up. I can't be the only one who has been in this situation, right? Is this a common occurrence in the business world? What would you do, or advise your child to do?</p>
<p>This happens all the time. I had a student who was set to work for me in the same situation - received an offer much better for his major. He wrote me a letter letting me know of his change in plans with thanks for the opportunity. No problem, simply provide ample notice.</p>
<p>@b@r!um
Yeah, I was expecting about ~$1,000 a month. They do, however, provide a $3,000 reimbursement bonus that I get the first month after I start. I also forgot to mention that the insurance company is paying for furnished housing. </p>
<p>The bad thing is that I am currently signed to a student apartment lease that doesn’t end until next August, so we will be paying two rents for three months. My parents said they will take care of that, however, and that it shouldn’t factor too much into my decision. </p>
<p>@Snowdog
Thanks for the advice. So this is not as “taboo” as some were saying in the other forum? Should I not feel bad about “burning bridges?” Also, both internships are CS related, I just feel working for a pure technology company would be better, rather than working in an IT department for an insurance company.</p>
<p>Did you ask about what you will be doing?
Insurance company software by far the most complicated that I have ever worked. After that to adjust to other places was basically peice of cake.</p>
<p>This is a more important factor than the money. The connections you make in your internship often lead to job offers. It’s clear from your post that you are looking forward to this opportunity in a way that you aren’t for the first offer.</p>
<p>Decline the offer in writing, politely and expressing some gratitude for the opportunity. They still have time to find a replacement, so I don’t see that you are creating a big problem for them. Just don’t wait.</p>
<p>Yes, I would just be polite and take the other internship if it works better for you. One note of caution, HR people have “long memories.” I suspect if you applied for a job with the insurance company after you turned down an internship, it would be an uphill battle to get hired. Best wishes.</p>
<p>I often hire young people out of college. Sometimes I hire someone who comes and works one or two day and then quits. I would consider that “burning bridges”, as I would probably never rehire that person.</p>
<p>But letting me know you’ve changed your mind months in advance, when I probably can still hire one of the people I interviewed when I interviewed you? I’d be disappointed, but no more disappointed than if you’d turned me down in the first place, and I certainly wouldn’t hold it against you.</p>
<p>It’s only bad if your reason for rescinding is because you prefer to remain on unemployment (I learned that on TV last night). Don’t let them make you feel bad. They might act like it is a big deal. It happens both ways. Companies sometimes have budget cuts and changes in circumstance that cause them to rescind job offers. You do what is best for you. As recommended above, just remain professional.</p>
<p>When you notify them, do let them know how much you appreciate their offer. If there’s anything complimentary about the company that you could mention, that would be a nice gesture.</p>
<p>Before I could comment, I’d have to know about the other important factors involved.
When you start off with “basically…” that means there are other facts…</p>
<p>IMHO, it is considered very unethical to accept a job offer and then rescind because something better came along. That is something that you just don’t do.</p>
<p>Did you get your job(s) through your school’s career center? My kid’s school career center has strict guidelines for employers and students. If they should violate their guidelines then they wouldn’t be able to use their services any more. </p>
<p>When D1 was interviewing on campus, they were not allow to go off campus for any recruiting events until all employers had a chance to do their initial interviews on campus. D1 was invited to go to NYC by a bank for their recruiting event - pretty much to be wined and dined. D1 received a letter from the career center to remind her of their policy. The bank was also notified of their policy. The event was cancelled at the end. </p>
<p>The career center was also very specific on how long students had to accept any offers, so they would have a chance to finish their interviewing process before making a decision.</p>
<p>I generally don’t think it is good to rescind an acceptance, but if another job is better for you, as long as you the other employer sufficient notice, I think it should be fine.</p>
<p>@oldfort
Yes, it was at my school’s Engineering Career Fair. As far as I know, there are no such rules, considering the insurance company flew me (and two others) out to their headquarters less than a week after the fair, to be “wined and dined” as you put it, before most others had even scheduled an interview. That is an interesting policy though, and probably would have helped considering I had an offer from them (and a corresponding deadline) before I even had an interview with some of the other companies I met there. Before that experience, I assumed the internship recruiting process didn’t start for most companies until January! In fact, some companies I met at the Career Fair (usually big named companies) expressed as such. </p>
<p>@dadinator
I’m curious, why do you say that? My initial thought on this whole thing was that, hey, companies let employees go all the time, why is it bad that we exercise the same right? Each party is doing what they believe to be in their best interest. It is only until I saw that other people didn’t agree, is when I got worried, so I’m curious why some consider it so unethical?</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. They really are helpful!</p>
<p>Op, would you be doing the same job art both companies? I only ask because i work in insurance IT and depending it can be very techy and lead to many other opportunities. One of our summer interns is still with us for Mondays and days when he’s on breaks. Maybe that will lead to a position upon graduation, who knows. </p>
<p>Just because its insurance does not mean its not as techy. It may be even more techy because of all the regulations.</p>
<p>You should go with what you think is best for yourself but if you decide not to take that first job please give then plenty of notice. I set up quite a few accesses and software permissions for several employees this summer who didn’t even show up for work on day one. Its frustrating because then hr had to go out and recruit for that same job again and was behind on hiring for the position.</p>
<p>HR person here - it is perfectly fine to turn down the position for a better offer, particularly with plenty of notice. Look at it this way - do you think the company would hesitate to inform you that the internship was no longer available if their business circumstances changed? No they wouldn’t - even on the eve of your arrival. It’s business. Do what’s best for you, but be prompt and professional in your response to them.</p>
<p>I would speak with someone at the career center about how to handle this. What you don’t want is to have this employer complain to them. You don’t know if you’ll need the career center’s help senior year to find a permanent position.</p>