<p>OK, so
I applied for a summer internship, had an onsite interview, then got the offer. </p>
<p>but,
there are at least 4 other summer internships that I like more. I recently applied to these 4 and don't want to make a commitment until I hear back from all of them. </p>
<p>my question is,
in engineering how much time can I buy before I accept this offer? and how can I buy time? what should I tell the company? And finally a dumb question, how bad would it be to accept this offer than pull out in a couple weeks?</p>
<p>they did not specify in the email or letter the date I have till I have to make a decision. HR asked via email that I call them if I accept the offer</p>
<p>Standard time to let them know is two weeks, I think every offer I’ve ever had followed this… You might be able to buy a little extra time but I wouldn’t push the issue if they’re not very receptive.</p>
<p>thats reaffirming purduefrank, thanks for the response. I think I will email the HR guy and tell him I will make a decision within two weeks of the offer. </p>
<p>I was thinking to call the other three company’s to follow up and let them know of my situtation that I only have two weeks, so I can speedy up the process with them.</p>
<p>i might be in a similar dilemma. I got a summer internship offer from the DOE and a summer research internship for the weapons systems dept for the navy. The DOE lab only gave me a few days, and wanted proof that i start grad school in the fall! It’s tough to decide what offers to take and what to reject, but we should feel lucky we even got these in the first place. Just a couple days ago, before I got notified of these offers, I was extremely worried that i’d have NOTHING to do over the summer…</p>
<p>though I’m in a similar dilemma as the OP, my situation has changed a little. My offer letter just says ‘We would like your employment to begin as soon as possible. This is a temporary position. We will expect you will work 40 hours per week. However, we can accommodate fewer hours per week if you need extra time off for full-time job interviews or school…Also, please be aware that your employment relationship with [this company] is “at-will” and, as such, the employment relationship may be terminated by either you or the Company at any time and for any reason.’ </p>
<p>By school, they’re referring to the fact that I’m currently auditing courses in aerodynamics, mass transfer, and FEA, since I plan to start my MSME program this upcoming fall. Anyways, last week they told me they wanted me to follow up with them regarding the interviews I’m still having with other companies.</p>
<p>I’m still getting phone interviews for other internships, but none of them are all that great either, but at least I will learn to use software that engineers use such as CATIA, CAD, etc. Whereas the position I got offered for is mostly hands-on work. Should I contact them to ask for more time to accept the offer? Or, I don’t how stupid this sounds but maybe I can try to do 2 internships this summer, about 20 hrs/wk for each?</p>
<p>hmm, well would it be possible that I start one internship, lets say next week, which will end in 90 days, and then do another internship in the middle of this summer?</p>
<p>Most employment is “at will” including spouse in major law firm-equity partner, 30+ years. I wouldn’t let that terminology scare you. If I’m not mistaken, “at will” exists in many states and is not exclusive to certain companies.</p>