Summer job dilemma...HELP!

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>To preface this: I'm a nursing student.</p>

<p>...I have a job dilemma: </p>

<p>There's a summer job that I've wanted for almost 3 years now...a "city host" position with a Christian organization (CSM) doing missions work in the inner city...and then there's camp nursing, a job that I've always thought I would apply for/take the summer after my junior year in college (I'm a sophomore), mostly because I didn't know that camps hired students... </p>

<p>So, I'm pretty far into the process with CSM...I've filled out the application, done the phone interview, and am trying to schedule the last part, the site visit, and I've also applied at various summer camps that hire students, and have a bite from one...a BIG BITE!...as in, less than a week has passed since I put my profile on a site for camp nurses, and this camp has already emailed me, called me, and said that "maybe we could tie this up in the next couple of days." </p>

<p>I can't do both, as they're both summer long positions...but I don't know which I'd prefer because they both have their pros and cons. CSM doesn't make their decision til around March...but if I get an offer from the camp within the next couple of weeks, I'll have to make a decision without knowing about CSM...</p>

<p>CSM Pros: </p>

<ul>
<li>Organization does great work </li>
<li>Good experience in community (I want to do community health nursing or pediatrics) </li>
<li>Get to live in a city for the summer, hopefully LA </li>
</ul>

<p>CSM Cons: </p>

<ul>
<li>Long days </li>
<li>Shared residence </li>
<li>Gone for the entire summer </li>
</ul>

<p>Camp Pros: </p>

<ul>
<li>Nursing experience </li>
<li>Some independence </li>
<li>Get to work with kids full time </li>
<li>Only 2 months of the summer </li>
</ul>

<p>Camp Cons: </p>

<ul>
<li>Limited experience </li>
<li>Stuck at camp all summer </li>
<li>Would be a major minority there (I'm black and a Christian, and most people who attend the camp, and even work there are Jews) </li>
</ul>

<p>HELP!!!</p>

2

<p>Over 50 views and no responses…anyone?</p>

3

<p>I’d say go with the one that’s going to be most relevant to the career you want. So if one gives you nursing experience that one might be a lot better.</p>

<p>You also have to consider, can you afford to live somewhere like L.A.? Even if you’ll be getting paid along the way you will still need to have a ton of money saved up before you go. And will you be able to actually live off the pay?</p>

<p>I really do think you should go with the one that will give you the most relevant experience, even if you’re nervous about it. It’s important to get as much real-world experience as possible while in school, you don’t have any time to waste!</p>

4

<p>CSM provides housing and most meals (lunch and dinner)…so it’s not nearly as expensive as you think, especially considering for breakfast I usually just eat a granola bar and/or some fruit.</p>

5

<p>Agreed. Go with the one that gives you the most experience for nursing.</p>

6

<p>I would agree with everyone else- go with the one that gives you nursing experience. Probably looks better on a resume as opposed to “CSM” which might also give you great life and overall career experience but not in your field and not in a way with which employers would be familiar without a long explanation on your part. </p>

<p>As far as being a minority, that in itself would be a great character-building experience.</p>

7

<p>I’m black and live in Upstate NY…I’m always a minority. Always have been. I haven’t however been in that much of a minority, and I don’t know how comfortable I would be with that.</p>