OT: need help making a decision

I had three interviews last week and it has left me with a lot of things to consider and I just can't decide what to do so I need to talk it out.

Two of the interviews were for internships (unpaid). I was initially going to do both but now I'm feeling somewhat reluctant. I have already had four internships, which is fine since I was either a student or getting paid, but I'm not a student anymore. What are employers going to think when they see that I'm still doing unpaid internships a year after graduating? What if they suspect the truth? The truth is that no one will hire me so I'm taking this step out of desperation. What else could having four internships + 2 more after graduating say?

The other problem is that if I do both of them, I will have no time to do any paid work. I also just met a recruiter that actually seems like she could get me paid work (this was the third interview). In fact she gave me an assignment on the spot, but the client has to approve and she says they are quite picky (Calypso St. Barth, FYI), so nothing is certain yet. So perhaps I should only do one, and freelance on the side...which seems ideal. But I can't decide which one, as they both seem like good opportunities.

And one more curveball to add to the list: Both internships have potential to turn into jobs. One of them would probably be full time and the other more of a freelance opportunity (I could be wrong about that but it would be my guess). And I have to consider how each one would affect my portfolio, which is a whole other issue.

My brain hurts from all of this thinking! Please jump in and do some thinking for me :p

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Reading between the lines I would be inclined to take ONE of the internships, which ever one appeals the most and would look good on your CV. This would leave time to work freelance, continue your job search and attend interviews.

rute

I agree with RoseandJoan.. it's not good for the CV to be without a job for a while, I agree the internship is not the best option for you, but it is the one you have for the moment.

Ele

(website)

Active Member

Maya, you know my thoughts on the "internship rut" because I think we've talked about it before, on another thread. Having said that, I wouldn't worry too much about taking another one on right now, in your position. Obviously a lot of people are out of work in the current economy and I think employers look for anything that shows that someone has kept busy- interning, volunteering, freelancing. Heck, I even have my blogs on my CV! I think anything that shows dedication and worth ethic is a good thing to have.

Also, keep in mind that your CV is indeed YOURS to edit as you please. Who says that you have to include all 6 internships (if it ends up being that way) on it next time you go for a full job? Choose the 2 most important/impressive ones from when you were in school, plus your most recent ones, and that's that. I find it's better not to include every job/work experience you've ever had on a CV, because then there is even more to talk about in an interview- people will think "wow, there's a lot to this girl" if you can work in an extra job/internship into the conversation.

I think one internship + freelance seems like the best fit for you right now. At your interviews, did you get a better feeling for one over the other? Did one have a better studio atmosphere, or nicer people? You can't underestimate that stuff. Also, since they both have the possibility about of turning into jobs- which company would you prefer working at, in the future?

(OT, but I just want to say that I've been to your portfolio since you added it, and was really impressed with your work! I'm not easily pleased either- generally very happy to call something out as badly designed. None of that at all ;0 )

marianna

I personally think that if an internship has job potential, GRAB IT! An internship is like a loooong interview process. I believe it's absolutely worth it. I'd probably take both internships and hope that one of them offers me a job at the end. Is there a way to take both internships and still have time to freelance and job search?

I don't think potential employers will look down on you for having done many internships, on the contrary I think it shows initiative and motivation and a drive to learn and keep busy. The more experience you have on your resume, the better.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Maya, just to get the facts straight:

o Do you definitely have both internships?
o If so, when do they start?

bella

Hey Maya, first of all congratulations on all the interviews. It is great to see that things are looking up for you. I think you got great advice here: Before making any decisions, make sure that you have all the facts like Angie suggested. I also agree with Ele that you have absolutely wiggle room in terms of what you want to include in your CV. If these internships are going to be overlapping, you can choose which one to include (depending on the job that you're applying for). Also, everybody knows that the economy is not great and that the jobs are not easily attainable. I think taking on an internship in this economy demonstrates to your employer that you are dedicated to building your portfolio and improving your skills even in times of hardship. Good luck!

Maya

Angie, I definitely have one of them, I'm confident in saying I definitely have the other as well although I have not taken care of the formalities. They said they would be giving me a call to schedule a start date and fill out the paperwork.

When they start depends on whether or not this gig at Calypso St Barth comes through. I mentioned at both internships that I am signed up with a few recruiters and I might have a temporary job soon, and they both seemed okay with that (internships generally follow the academic calendar, so I think they weren't expecting me to start until January anyway). Now I'm wondering if I could even do one internship and still freelance through my recruiter because most of these jobs are five days a week. I'll have to ask her. If anyone is wondering why I can't just freelance: These are just temp jobs to help out for a few weeks...not the kind of work that will generate portfolio pieces or give me any direction in terms of my long term goals.

I'm going to ask my manager from my paid internship if I could change my title to "design assistant" rather than "design intern." I was out of school and I was being paid, so in my estimation it wasn't really an internship. I'm also going to knock off the last two internships on my resume since they are not design-related. That brings me to one internship and two jobs. Now the only problem is explaining why I decided to do these after graduating rather than while I was in school. Honestly, I wouldn't have had the time. I was in a 1.5 year program, not a four year program, and I was taking 18 credits for my first semester. I know that but I wonder how THEY will know that.

Both opportunities are good for different reasons. It would be hard to choose one.

This is what my career counselor told me:

"In this day and age and indeed economy, I wouldn't be worried about having or thinking you're doing 'too many' internships. Its increasingly common and shows that you're being smart and pro-active in a difficult economy, you're making a point of getting valuable real world experience. If this comes up in an interview, just be totally honest and say that your focus is full time employment however you wanted to benefit
and indeed contribute within internships as you continue to pursue opportunities."

(Thanks Ele. I snuck it in there without saying anything and it didn't seem like anyone noticed, but you have outed me. At least you outed me positively!)

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