<p>Hey - I'm brand new, so I hope this is in the right place. :) I've just got a question and I'm hoping you guys could weigh in - you all seem so smart!
I'm a high school sophomore, female, really into the STEM fields, especially genetics. I've got an internship right now doing office work with an organization (let's call it ABC) that's all about helping to find a cure for a common genetic disorder. This is a weekly thing.</p>
<p>I'm currently applying for a very competitive research internship (let's call it XYZ) that would end up being some 300 hours of research work this summer. The jobs I can apply for are truly fascinating, and I do have a reasonable amount experience with them, but it's a huge time commitment and also not something I really "created", as I did with the ABC internship by constantly emailing them. However, I've started my application for XYZ and asked teachers for recommendations. </p>
<p>Through ABC, I met a nurse who works with actual patients with the disease. I emailed him and he said that, though they don't officially offer internships, he'd be happy to let me work with him. He's much more flexible and it was something I actually "created" as internships aren't generally offered. However, I'm not as interested in working with patients as with research.</p>
<p>So what do I do? I plan on continuing the XYZ application because I don't want to back out on my teachers. But now I'm worried that I will get in, so I'll have to choose, and that I won't, because that'd be humiliating. And a waste of my time.</p>
<p>But which one is "better" for me?</p>
<p>Sorry for the super-long post and thanks so much!</p>
<p>That’s the thing - XYZ does! But it’s just so competitive and such a huge time commitment. Also, ABC could result in something interesting as well. So I guess I’d be happy at both, but obviously that isn’t an option. :P</p>
<p>XYZ as you described it sounds more prestigious, and if it’s more interesting to you, you should definitely go with it! Don’t fear the time commitment. I did an internship in something I love with a HUGE commitment–40+ hours per week during the summer, 30+ hours during the school year. If you are passionate about the work you’re doing, you’ll feel like no amount of time is enough. And you’ll be around people who have the same interests you do, so it won’t hinder your social life that much.</p>
<p>Artsygirl - oh, for sure! Hah, I’m not presumptuous enough to assume I’d get in. In case I do, though, I’m terrified that I’ll make the “wrong” choice. </p>
<p>mmmgirl - great username, by the way, I laughed - it is definitely more “prestigious”, but lately I’ve been reading that a huge thing now is “initiative” and I feel like ABC shows more initiative. So that’s where I’m stuck. But thanks so much for your input on your own internship - that makes me feel so much better about the time commitment! :)</p>
<p>Do what you want to do. Don’t be worried about whether you “created” the opportunity or not. Where you’d love to be is more important than what you think will look better down the road.</p>
<p>Go with your gut. If you have the time, don’t worry about the commitment.</p>