Reneging on a internship offer

[compmom]

<p>I would probably take B and quickly, as long as you talk to Company A and they understand. </p>

<p>The only caveat is that as a sophomore, you may want more time to be educated for the position at A, and plenty of people do their best internships after junior year. </p>

<p>Company A did not invest any time in interviewing you or training you, and it doesn’t sound like they have put much time into planning for you either. Is that right? Are they selective in their interns, and do they have others who can fill the gap, readily? The other thing is, it would help if you knew what you would be doing at A, so you can compare. Many internships are scut work, some are really good though: can you tell with A? I think it makes a difference both in terms of whether you do A, and whether they can easily replace you.</p>

<p>This is not a black and white moral question. It’s an internship. Company B offers more time, more money and tasks that are more closely aligned to your interests. This is not a model for life (taking care of yourself first before all others) but I think it is reasonable in this particular situation.</p>

<p>Can you telephone Company A and ask them what effects it would have on them if you went with B? Explain that you were nervous about not getting an internship and went with them early, but that a position that fits your interests perfectly, and that offers longer training, has come up and that you were chosen unexpectedly.</p>

<p>I agree that mentioning money may not be a good idea.</p>

<p>If they insist, then you may have to think some more. But chances are that your interning is not that essential, and may not be part of their planning yet for the summer,as I said. </p>

<p>I don’t really see how this will affect your future career in a negative way (I may be naive), and you will learn a lot more CS at B. But the thing is, how much it bothers you, and the better person you are, the more you will suffer- as seems to be the case. </p>

<p>I think we all applaud your sense of right and wrong, and in my opinion, you should first talk with A so that you feel more ethical when you say yes to B.</p>

<p>My son did internships in Silicon Valley and then got a job after graduation. His school provided interviews in the fall w/these companies. In some ways, this is not your fault, since you did not have that advantage.</p>

<p>One other thing: if you do end up at A, make the most of it. Sometimes these quirky situation, that seem less than optimal, end up offering unexpected advantages. I’m not saying that will happen, but if you make the most of things, often it does.</p>

<p>Let us know what happens!</p>

[nngmm]

<p>I agree that you should call B ASAP, not wait for them to contact you.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<br>

<p>Also, any industry is a smaller world than OP is aware. If you burn company A, it
could easily come back to haunt you if employees at A - -who most certainly have
any number of contacts as B and elsewhere in the industry - - bad-mouth you. </p>

<br>

<p>My impression in the tech world is that companies don’t bad-mouth you due to the potential of lawsuits. In most cases, they will just verify that you worked there for a particular time-period.</p>

<p>I agree with not waiting. Call B and tell them you accept if that’s your decision. If you decide on B and they confirm it, then call A soon to give them the most time to find someone else. Don’t wait until next week.</p>

<br>

<p>My office runs a very competitive intern program and if a student back out late in
the game, it is quite difficult to fill that vacancy – after having already said “no”
to our 2nd and 3rd choice candidates in favor of the one who reneged. When this
has happended, we have definitely contacted the career development office. </p>

<br>

<p>Why don’t you modify your process to account for this? What do you do if someone that accepted develops a medical issue and can’t work for a few weeks or has to care for an injured family member?</p>

[mathmomvt]

<p>cassie_skye to quote someone’s message, put the word “quote” in square brackets before what you want to quote, and put “/quote” in square brackets at the end. No spaces.</p>

[GeekMom63]

<p>Another vote for call them now and don’t make them come to you.</p>

[ab2013]

<p>

I disagree w/ ucsd-ucla-dad’s post above. My office runs a very competitive intern program and if a student back out late in the game, it is quite difficult to fill that vacancy – after having already said “no” to our 2nd and 3rd choice candidates in favor of the one who reneged. When this has happended, we have definitely contacted the career development office. </p>

<p>Also, any industry is a smaller world than OP is aware. If you burn company A, it could easily come back to haunt you if employees at A - -who most certainly have any number of contacts as B and elsewhere in the industry - - bad-mouth you.

</p>

<p>The very thought of this still scares me.</p>

<p>My gameplan: </p>

<p>Call B </p>

<p>Sign papers </p>

<p>Call A</p>

[ab2013]

<p>I accepted B(est)'s offer! :D</p>

<p>The only thing is that B will not send out the official,formal offer until next Wednesday by mail. Should I contact A then?</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>I’d wait for something official first.</p>

<p>Could they send you an email to confirm?</p>

[ucsd_ucla_dad]

<p>

My office runs a very competitive intern program and if a student back out late in the game, it is quite difficult to fill that vacancy – after having already said “no” to our 2nd and 3rd choice candidates in favor of the one who reneged. When this has happended, we have definitely contacted the career development office.

I’m not saying it’s an ideal situation and that it has no impact whatsoever on the company when an intern backs out like this. I’m saying the relative impact on that company of having one less intern is ‘usually’ not a big impact on that company. They also have the option of getting another intern since there are usually qualified students without positions yet but of course it’s going to be some pain for the company to go through the additional effort of additional interviewing. </p>

<p>When you say it’s a ‘very competetive’ program at your company do you mean in your company competing with others to get the good candidates or do you mean competetive for the candidates to be given the offer from your company? If it’s the latter then it should be fairly easy to find a qualified replacement.</p>

<p>The other factor here is when the company asks for a decision very early in the year (November in this case) and combines that with a low compensation. They’re setting themselves up for students to back out later. This wouldn’t happen if they permitted the decisionb to take place later in the year and offered a more attractive compensation package.</p>

[oldfort]

<p>I would tell A now, and not wait for the letter. In my opinion, if B wants to go back on its offer, it would do it even with a formal offer. I have seen it happen, and there is really no big penalty, except with reputational loss to a company. Considering you are only few weeks away from when A expects you to show up, I would call A now and not wait until next Wed.</p>

[foolishpleasure]

<p>“My impression in the tech world is that companies don’t bad-mouth you due to the potential of lawsuits.”</p>

<p>Most companies don’t formally bad-mouth - - but a lot of this sort of info is exchanged informally (no paper trail).</p>

<hr>

<p>“I’m not saying it’s an ideal situation and that it has no impact whatsoever on the company when an intern backs out like this. I’m saying the relative impact on that company of having one less intern is ‘usually’ not a big impact on that company.”</p>

<p>^^ The intern and the company are not “equals” and do not have identical obligations to each other. based in part on custom. (If you skip a medical apt, the doctor may charge you - - but if the doctor fails to show you can’t bill him for your lost time or the cost of traveling to the apt. Different obligations.)</p>

<p>And OP ought to factor in that blowing-off A could have consequences beyond the internship. In this economy, you never know who will be hiring (and who will not) - - so my risk making a bad impression (much less making enemies). Vlowing off A could also put OP in hot water with career services or even put future faculty LORs at risk (who want to waste his/her social and professional capital recommending a kid who doen’t honor his commitments). My office advised career services at a top LAC that we would no longer post positions there b/c a couple of its interns backed out of positions - - and am certain that making the students write letters of apology (which they did) was the least of the offenders’ problems. </p>

<hr>

<p>Finally, the fact that OP is making this decison b/c of money, but posters are telling him not ot disclose that fact (lie of omission) is a clear indication that what they propose is ethically wrong. Several posters have assured OP that “honorable” people at A will do right by him - - but why shouldn’t OP act honorably (ask to be released, but if not be a good sport about the job w/A).</p>

[ab2013]

<p>

I would tell A now, and not wait for the letter. In my opinion, if B wants to go back on its offer, it would do it even with a formal offer. I have seen it happen, and there is really no big penalty, except with reputational loss to a company. Considering you are only few weeks away from when A expects you to show up, I would call A now and not wait until next Wed.

</p>

<p>B has not formally sent any papers yet or even e-mail confirmation. (I accepted about 2 hours ago) This is why I am reluctant to ditch A yet, and even the school’s Career Center has told me to hold off quitting A until B is all set. And I don’t think B is all set since I’ve only talked over the phone. </p>

<p>

ost companies don’t formally bad-mouth - - but a lot of this sort of info is exchanged informally (no paper trail).

</p>

<p>Still worrying about this… I don’t think I’ll sleep well for a while. :(</p>

<p>

combines that with a low compensation.

</p>

<p>Actually, I wouldn’t say that A’s compensation was low. Conversely, back in November, I thought it was REALLY generous. It’s just that B’s offer crushed it.</p>

[foolishpleasure]

<p>^^ You are neither Jean Valjean nor the impoverished single mom stealing pamers and enfamil during a black-out - - nothing ehtically ambig here; just pure unadulterated greed and self-interest. (I guess if you ask girl A to the prom and then find out that hotter girl B is available, what’s an honorable guy to do but dump A for B. Of course, you want to hold on to A until B actually says “yes.” A prince of a guy.)</p>

[ucsd_ucla_dad]

<p>

the fact that OP is making this decison b/c of money

Although the OP mentioned the money, the OP specifically stated - </p>

<p>

But what truly matters is the experience. I think that B will most likely deliver more effectively than A will. A is transport and 9 weeks; B is high-tech/SV and 12 weeks.

</p>

<hr>

<p>

Actually, I wouldn’t say that A’s compensation was low. Conversely, back in November, I thought it was REALLY generous. It’s just that B’s offer crushed it.

Compensation’s relative. Amount x can seem like it’s reasonable until you discover others around you or people in similar positions in many other companies are getting amount 2x.</p>

<p>

money, but posters are telling him not ot disclose that fact (lie of omission)

I think the OP should be up front with company A and let them know why the decision was made if they’re interested in knowing that. It may help the company in improving their internship program. There’s no reason not to be open and honest with company A about this.</p>

<p>foolishpleasure:
So if this was at your company would your advice to this college sophomore who (presumably) has never had an internship before be to forego the better offer that not only pays much more but also provides what the student thinks is a better internship experience and intern at your company knowing full well that the student will have a less rewarding and robust experience (according to what the OP’s told us) and a potentially somewhat negative experience since the student would be constantly thinking about the other opportunity? And all of this on top of poor timing constraints by the company in requiring the decision so early (IMO). As a manager, I wouldn’t feel right inflicting that on the student even if it meant a bit more work for me to find another intern or go without.</p>

[foolishpleasure]

<p>^^ I would tell the student to act honorably. Doing the right this isn’t always easy, that doesn’t make it any less right.</p>

<p>As for this - - “a potentially somewhat negative experience since the studnet would be constantly thinking about the other opportunity” - - I’d tell the student to grow up and stop whinning. That something better exists in the unverse isn’t “inflicting” anything on the student. </p>

<p>Next time, don’t take the early offer - - no matter how good it it. Of course, that means assuming the risk that you’ll end up with nothing.</p>

[ab2013]

<p>

Next time, don’t take the early offer - - no matter how good it it. Of course, that means assuming the risk that you’ll end up with nothing.

</p>

<p>This is easier said than done. While I had A’s offer from the beginning, when they gave me the offer, I was going through an interview process with another company C. After C rejected me, I asked the Career Office whether I should take A yet, because I knew that there would be many other companies that interview in the Winter semester. They advised me to accept it, because chances were that I wouldn’t get another offer as a sophomore. Having an internship is better than having none. I listened to their advice, and it kinda reinforced the “rejection” feeling, having just received a rejection from C. </p>

<p>I knew many upper classmen who also re-echoed this idea. They said I was already very fortunate to land an offer so most people I talked to urged me to take the offer, even if A was a very low-tier company. Additionally ,as a sophomore, I’ve never had any experiences in regards to job hunting or interviewing (the process as I’ve learned is very different from the college application process), so I did indeed try to play safe by accepting what I could get. Also, I didn’t know much about the world, so you might say that I erred in applying to all the places that were interested in me. We all make some mistakes, and I think that after this year, I’ve learned a great deal.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>the fact that OP is making this decison b/c of money

</p>

<p>This is NOT the reason I went with B. If fact, B stated that the numbers were ballpark values and subject to deduction. HOWEVER, even if they eventually extended an offer that is what A offered, I would go with B because I still would feel it would make my summer more worthwhile with the experiences I could get out of it.</p>

<p>

just pure unadulterated greed and self-interest

</p>

<p>I’m sorry, but I’m offended by this statement. I wouldn’t have even applied to company B had it not been for my dad. I resisted and told him it was not right to apply, but unfortunately everyone has their own set of ethics, so I gave in to shut him up. I really did not want to go through the interview process with B, because I had already had a very tough courseload this term. </p>

<p>Even so, when B extended their offer out of the blue (they hadn’t spoken to me for a very long time, so I assumed I got rejected as I had wished, to avoid this dilemma), it has troubled me very deeply. I didn’t jump at the decision immediately. As some people have pointed out, this was not an optimal solution - I just had to choose what was best. </p>

<p>Would it have been in A’s best interest if I went there in a sour mood knowing I could have better spent my time elsewhere? I doubt it.</p>

<p>It’s not like I’m ecstatic/celebrating this decision. I just don’t want to waste a good summer. Even still, I’ve wasted all the time I’ve spent planning the logistics of moving to A’s location. Now, all this work has gone to waste, which was one of the reasons why I actually wanted to stay with A first. This situation has kept me up at night, and will likely continue to do so, because I just don’t know if this was the right choice.</p>

[MommaJ]

<p>@foolishpleasure, we’re talking about bailing on a summer internship her, not abandoning the lead position on the Navy Seal Team 6 the day before the Osama bin Laden raid. Company A will shrug and move on–there is no shortage of college students looking for summer jobs. OP’s decision will have a negligible effect on them, whereas the decision to take a more suitable and better paying position will have a significant effect on OP’s career and finances. This was an easy call.</p>

<p>OP, speaking as someone who has run an HR department, I can tell you that you don’t need to go into detail in your communication with Company A. It’s not any of their business and they won’t care anyway. Simply say that you’ve decided to take a more suitable position that you were just offered, that you’re sorry for the inconvenience, and that you appreciate their time and consideration. That’s it.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<br>

<p>Most companies don’t formally bad-mouth - - but a lot of this sort of info is exchanged
informally (no paper trail).</p>

<br>

<p>So let’s say that you do this at a Fortune 500 company. You’re telling me that there are 124,750 contacts between this company and the other 499 companies that bad-mouth an applicant? The combinatorial explosion of large, medium and small companies of contacts would be in figures orders of magnitude greater than the entire population of the world.</p>

[cassie_skye]

<p>MommaJ and ucsd…dad Amen. My goodness a couple of others of you are hard-nosed. Anyone reading these postings can tell that the student is ethical, responsible, and took this process to heart. </p>

<p>I know a student who had two internship opportunities. Both allowed two weeks from the offers for a formal decision. Nobody backed anyone into a corner last November asking them for a decision on the spot. </p>

<p>I would like to think in a major corporate environment there are few hiring managers that would feel the need to hurt a student’s reputation for selecting a company over their internship. Who in a busy world with ample workload has time to sabotage a student and make them look bad in the real world and with their career services? Nobody I would care to work for.</p>

[Erin_s_Dad]

<p>

speaking as someone who has run an HR department, I can tell you that you don’t need to go into detail in your communication with Company A. It’s not any of their business and they won’t care anyway

Sorry but this is not necessarily true. At my company we actually ask why someone is passing on the job so we can try to get the talent we need. We don’t treat interns any differently.</p>