<p>No one ever said anything negative about him finding a job–just that this particular job won’t give him any favors in the way of an engineering job, which is the question he asked in the OP. I’ve worked in food service since I was 16, and I know that those jobs (having references, being able to work with others and with customers, etc.) are a big part of the reason I got my internship.</p>
<p>Almost any job will be better than no job, obviously. He was more inquiring as to whether or not working at an Exxon gas station would somehow demonstrate “loyalty” to the company.</p>
<p>Imagine possibly interning with Exxon a couple years down the road. Do you think they’ll honestly ask you, “So what was it like working as a cashier for us at one of our gas stations?”
I highly doubt it. If you want some extra cash for the summer, take the job. But it won’t help you stand out or get your “foot in the door.”
Also, I just finished my first year of college and also got an engineering internship so it’s not impossible.
Try joining some sort of engineering design team at your school during the year. Employers usually find that appealing.</p>