<p>I applied to, got interviewed at and finally received an offer from a well-known company (my dream company, actually) for a software-development intern. While I am overly excited because of the offer, the more I learn about the position, the less I feel I am really qualified for it. I honestly didn't expect the offer after I came out of my interviews because I didn't answer all of the questions correctly (I messed up about 1.5+ out of 6 questions) and I am going to a state college, certainly not a prestigious one as opposed to all those famous private colleges that most of the interns from the company are/were going to.</p>
<p>The question is, should I turn down the offer(I do have other offers to consider)?
My thinking is that I'd rather turn them down, go elsewhere and come back when I truly feel ready than to accept the offer, possibly mess up, and potentially lose my chance of receiving a fulltime offer.</p>
<p>Anyone ever been in similar situations? Any advise?</p>
<p>No no no no do NOT turn down an offer! Companies are pretty good at selecting people, and after a long recruitment process, they know what they’re getting. If you are going to be an intern, they can’t expect you to be bringing in millions of dollars for them. The entire purpose of an internship is to learn things, so if you don’t already know how to do something, this presents a perfect opportunity to figure it out.</p>
<p>The college you go to is irrelevant to everyone in the working world; I work with people who did community for two years before transferring to land grant universities, with people who went to local commuter schools, and with people who went to Duke, University of Chicago, Penn, Dartmouth, etc. The best people aren’t all from the top schools.</p>
<p>It’s hard enough to get a job… don’t select yourself out once you got one!</p>
<p>Hiring managers know what to look for. Some things can be taught (task-oriented procedures, how to read various reports, etc.), and some things cannot (motivation, independence, problem-solving, and so on). You might not meet every skill and qualification, but the company offered you the position because they believe that you’re capable of learning them. </p>
<p>One thing companies will look for is confidence in your abilities. By turning down the position, and especially if you offer the explanation you gave us, it tells the company that you are not confident in your knowledge and skills and that perception may stick with them when you pursue future positions there (companies save applicant info for legal reasons, so it is not always hard to look up documentation on previous applicants). </p>
<p>If this is your dream company, then go for it and give it all you have. Ask for feedback to make sure you’re on the right path, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify your assignments. Ask for resources to find answers yourself. </p>
<p>Honestly, if you met every single qualification and answered every question 100% correct, you’re probably overqualified for the position and should aim higher.</p>
<p>It’s not about what you are good at; it’s about what you are WILLING TO GET GOOD at. If you are willing to get better, do not turn down the position.</p>
<p>DON’T TURN IT DOWN. You should never have a job where you are completely qualified. The point is to learn on the job and step up to the challenge.</p>