Parents- should I do the job or internship?

Parents Forum
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<p>So… this upcoming year, I’m in a bit of a bind. Due to car issues, I’ve had to quit my jobs that are far away from campus and I’m currently trying to find a job on/near campus. Right now, I have a job lined up but I can only work it on Sundays (so it would be 8 hours a week) due to scheduling issues (they need someone for full shifts so Sunday was all they could offer me). I have another job that I could work during the week, but herein lies my problem. I have the option of taking the 2nd job or an internship. </p>

<p>I have an internship (15-20 hours per week, 4 days a week- which is what screws up the work schedule) with a state House representative. It sounds like a really good opportunity, and it’s along the lines of what I want to do post-graduation (I want to work in public health but I’m not sure if I want to work in government or some other branch). But if I did that, I would only be working 8 hours per week (unless a night job opens up, but I haven’t had any responses to my applications for night jobs). I <em>think</em> I can make ends meet- but just barely and really only because of food stamps- which I really don’t want to rely on since I have the opportunity to work and earn enough money for food, but only if I give up the internship.</p>

<p>I want to work because I don’t want to be reliant on food stamps (especially given how finicky my state government is), but people keep telling me that I’m crazy for giving up this internship, especially given the job market (I know that it will look really good on an application). I am 95% going to take the job, but I just want to make sure that I’m making the right decision. I honestly don't know if I will get this opportunity again, which is the only reason that I have any reservations about giving it up. I have no parental guidance and I can’t talk to my advisor until late August, which will be too late to accept the internship. </p>

<p>FWIW- I’m getting a BS in anthropology, a BA in Arts & Humanities, and a concentration in Bioethics. I want to go to get my masters in public health or bioethics, with possibly a JD. Part of the internship is drafting a proposal for a bill that would be then be proposed to the House Democrats that was drafted by me and my internship supervisor (not sure of what the actual title is…).</p>

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<p>Is there any possibility you could find a part-time job for the times you won’t be working at your internship? Since you’d only be working max 5 hours a day, maybe you could get something in the afternoon (and/or the 5th day of the work week) just to help make ends meet.</p>

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<p>Why do you have so many majors? Is that what’s complicating your schedule so much? Seems like overkill- get one degree, get one major, do a concentration, and do well in it. If you need to work for pay – then do that. If you can squeeze in the internship once you drop some of these other classes and obligations- then terrific.</p>

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<p>No, my schedule isn’t that complicated without the internship- it’s only the internship which complicates things. I’m only taking 13 credits. It’s only 2 majors and one small concentration (the one BA is technically Residential College in the Arts and the Humanities). I have very little left to take to complete my degrees. </p>

<p>Ironically, after I posted this, I got a call to interview with an after-school program which would work out perfectly.</p>

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<p>Alterative option–
Can you get a job as an SAT tutor? That has flexible hours and pays well. That way you can work AND do your internship.</p>

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<p>Hmm… I could try. I put up a posting on a tutoring/babysitting website (actually a few sites), but so far no bites. I’m trying to tutor in math or Spanish (or anything, really)… I’m hoping the after-school Montessori school job that I’m interviewing for pans out. It would be nearly perfect hours-wise.</p>

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<p>I hope the after school job works out for you. If you are in the House, and if you are working with someone on the Appropriations Committee, I will be following you! :slight_smile: I have a new job as an employee benefit consultant … and I am following Senate bills 347 & 348, which are now in the House. The bills have to do with a 1% health care tax.</p>

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<p>It’s actually with Senator Anderson. He is the rep for the district I grew up in and his two of his biggest issues are education and health care… which is why I was so excited for the internship. </p>

<p>I haven’t heard of that bill (jeeze, I’m slacking). The ones I’m following closely right now are House bills 4872 and 4873 (Caylee’s Law).</p>