<p>I accepted an unpaid internship offer with a senator at one of his remote offices. Recently, I received an unpaid internship offer from a small financial firm that I really want to take, but I feel incredibly guilty reneging the political internship.</p>
<p>Is it acceptable to renege an unpaid, fall internship? I originally took that internship because I really like working, but this finance internship is in the field that I want to pursue and the connections that I can make there far outweigh the ones I can make at the political internship. I'm more afraid of my career center banning me from it than anything.</p>
<p>What is the nature of the internship with the financial firm? Generally, internships for politicians are highly valuable - you will learn a TON. Conversely, unpaid internships for for-profit institutions are generally just ways for those companies to take advantage of ambitious students. If you are going to be pushing paper for the financial company, you’d probably be better off sticking with your political internship anyway.</p>
<p>As for your university, did you get either position through the university? If not, then they won’t care what you do. If you did then you’ll have to talk to someone if you do plan to renege.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t call it acceptable. Like chrisw said, it depends on how you got the internship and your school’s stance on the matter. I was at an internship conference hosted by a local, well-received state university just a few weeks ago with other human resource and hiring managers. The topic of reneging offers was heavily discussed by both employers and representatives of the school. This will vary by school, but be aware that some schools want info about students reneging and can prevent the use of future career services to students who do so. Some schools take other actions. It can also leave a bad taste in an employer’s mouth against the school if the school isn’t providing reliable, professional candidates. </p>
<p>If you do decline the first internship, be sure to do so professionally with as much notice as you can before the start date. </p>
<p>I received the political internship offer through the senator’s website, not from my career center.</p>
<p>Would I gain valuable experience even though it’s one of his remote offices where he only visits 2-3 times per semester? I’m told that we write briefs, do research, and follow the media for any references of the senator.</p>
<p>The finance internship is in private wealth management. The interviewer was incredibly nice and told me that they normally only recruit seniors or graduate students - I’m a sophomore. It’s a smaller, independent firm in a beat-down city. I get to meet clients and do some analytical work.</p>