My sister got a summer research gig in a child development lab this summer which is affiliated with a top 50 university, but the commute is about an hour, it is for community service hours (of which she will have 300 or so as it is) rather than for pay, and she would probably be doing mostly menial tasks. On the other hand, she got a summer job working as an assistant teacher at a preschool down the street 3 times per week for more than the minimum wage. She is under the impression that the research position will look much better on an application and she is equally excited about both. She doesn’t yet drive, though, so the research position would be a huge commitment for our parents.
Am I right in counseling her to take the preschool job and maybe just shadow the researcher a few times instead of engaging in research with her?
In addition to choosing between these, she will be working in an orphanage for a couple of weeks and is taking a required online health class.
(the orphanage is in another country as part of a missions trip. I understand tons of applicants do this, but just clarifying why it is for a limited amount of time)
What is a child development lab? Sorry if I sound stupid, but I honestly don’t know.
I think she should take the job. Not only will it give her some extra money in her pocket but also it will be nice for her to get some practical work experience in the field she desires to be in.
Which is it research or community service? If she isn’t being exposed to research work then it isn’t important. I don’t see how any parents can be expected to drive a kid an hour each way very often.
There is no way I could or would drive a child one hour each way to a summer position. That means (if I return home after dropping her off) FOUR hours in the car.
The preschool teaching position is in the same field. She may or may not get more responsibility but it certainly can lead to that. Finally she gets paid. I say, go fir the preschool teaching position.
Maybe she can negotiate something with the lab for once a week but only if your parents have the time to drive her to and from the lab.
