College can be a stressful time with all the homework, studying, quizzes and exams. Then, try adding in a job and a social life. It can be a lot to handle, so when summer comes around, everyone should be relieved. Or so you think. Summer internships are a huge part of your college career as well. Finding internships is arguably the most difficult (and important!) task of your college career, so getting an offer is a big relief. But don't jump at the first bite that comes your way.
That's what I did. I applied for many internships and I jumped at the first one I got. It sounded like it was going to be the perfect opportunity. This company wanted me. ME! I couldn't believe it.
When I had my interview, everything seemed too good to be true. It was a well paid internship that was eager to have summer help. The company was a fairly big company and they were responsible for many different types of work. The department I was placed in, had job sites ranging from 10 minutes away to almost three hours away. They guaranteed that you would be placed closest to home. They said that we were in charge of managing these sites and that there was a certification that we were required to get, but the company paid you for study materials and the certification test. I thought, "Wow this is great!"
Needless to say, that wasn't the case.
I was spending 4+ hours on my way to and from work. I was in empty parking lots and empty fields alone waiting for my other coworkers, I thought we were going to be managing sites when, little to my knowledge, that meant a five gallon plastic backpack was strapped to me with mysterious chemicals inside. Everything we worked with was hazardous, but we were not told how it would affect us. The internship only lasted me a month. I felt like a complete failure. I felt like I made the wrong decision, but I also learned quite a few things.
I learned that you should never jump at the first opportunity because it is not always the best fit for yourself. I learned that sometimes things are better than they seem. I know that getting the experience through internships while in college is a very crucial part of the "college experience," but I learned that you should never continue doing something if it makes you unhappy. You should never have to suffer because of a choice you made. It is only a choice, only a job. Things come and go and there are always more opportunities waiting for you, even if you have to get out there and find them. My advice to you, is to consider all of your options. Don't jump at the first thing that crosses your path. Writing a pros and cons list when making a decision can help you analyze the advantages and disadvantages of what the position has to offer to you. Don't ever be afraid to leave a situation that doesn't work out for you, you never know what's waiting around the corner.
