<p>So I'm a computer science guy that just started working part-time in Web Support role for a start-up. I'm learning alot, but there doesn't seem to be room for me to get some practical Software Engineering experience. I'm getting paid to handle user issues and work with the developers on bugs and features that limit the product, but I don't actually get to BUILD ANYTHING. I have no complaints 'bout the position, but....</p>
<p>....on the other-hand, a company I have been pitching to for over a YEAR has finally interviewed and offered me a paid summer programming position working on actual client projects. These guys are awesome; they design, have R&D projects, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the summer intern position is for the moment just a summer position while the start-up that just hired me is making it obvious they would want me full-time during that very same summer.</p>
<p>Question: What do I do?
A) Leave the start-up, work my ass off with the internship to hopefully extend it to a pt during school</p>
<p>B) Stay at the start-up and beg them till they train me in heavy production coding</p>
<p>C) Explain to the start-up what a opportunity I have to make myself a better Engineer for your product in 3 months at NO COST! I'll be back in September.</p>
<p>Seems like you want to go the route of option C, and that is completely reasonable. Are you 100% sure that you will actually be doing programming with this summer position, or is there the possibility that they will just have you shadowing others and maybe doing some support tasks? That should probably impact your decision…</p>
<p>Hey Chris,
Thanks for responding. To answer your question, I don’t have 100% certainty. As worded, I’ll be shadowing and working on client projects and expected to complete my own R&D projects in 10 weeks (bit scary.) There is always a possibility I might be side-shuffled to support as they are client-based and constantly starting and finishing projects.</p>
<p>You’re right as well that I would hope to keep both of prizes (option C.) but it’s a gamble that the start-up will have to find someone else. They’re a early stage seeking Series A funding- translation- they have lots of fixes and support issues that can’t wait on me and a budget that might not allow rehiring. </p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions on serious warning signs that I might end up a paper-pusher intern?</p>
<p>I mean, if you haven’t already done so, ask the company exactly what you will be doing. Let them know that you already have a promising future at the company you’re currently with and that you would not be able to accept a summer position unless you would be able to really develop your skills as a programmer. If you feel like they’re giving a made up answer, they probably are… you should be able to get some specifics; if it is a fast paced company, you may not be able to know what your specific daily tasks will be, but you could ask what they will PROBABLY be. Once you figure out what the job is going to be, that’s when you talk to the startup you’re already working for and tell them your situation. You could be right on both accounts: maybe they will think of it as free training and want you to come back in the fall, but maybe they will not be able to manage three months without someone in your role and will hire a new permanent employee to replace you.</p>
<p>Regardless of what you choose, you will be gambling. At this stage in your life, though, I would err on the side of aggressiveness and risk-taking - if it turns out well, it will turn out really well; if it turns out poorly, you don’t have very far to fall, and getting back to where you are now will be relatively easier. If you were 20 years older, it would be a different story.</p>