Do I Stay or Do I Go?

If you were able to balance an internship, a semester’s worth of classes, and a social life, give yourself a round of applause. Completing an internship alone is cause for celebration, but you deserve a medal if you are able to complete all three. Maybe your internship with a company ends after the semester finishes, but maybe, just maybe, they ask you to continue on for another semester. Over the duration of your internship, you were able to show your supervisor and fellow interns that you went above and beyond, worked hard, and met the goals laid out before you. Companies do not ask just any intern to continue on with them for another period, they only ask the best interns.

Before you accept the offer, there are a few things to consider and ask.

What else do I have to gain from this internship?

Sometimes you can only learn so much from one experience, which is fine, but you wouldn’t want to waste your time if you are no longer learning anything new. If there is still growth for you, then take the offer.

Is there another position or sector I can switch to this time around?

An internship has so much to offer you. You gain experience rather than learn about something in a classroom. You get hands on help from experts in the field. You make connections and contacts that you can keep for your entire career. Look around or consult your supervisor to see what new tasks you can take on the second time around, or if there is another department you can work with to maximize your learning.

Do I have time this semester for an internship?

It’s difficult to balance school, internship, and a social life. You are still in school, so that is your number one priority. Also, you are young still, this is the time of your life. Internships take dedication and time, and you have to decide for yourself if you can make time for your internship without stretching yourself too thin.

How does this benefit me in the long run?

Internships are always beneficial, I want to get that out of the way. The key part of this question is in the long run. How will continuing this internship benefit your career in the long run? Aside from having experience, what skills can you learn, who can you meet, and how will your career be furthered?

These four questions are very open ended. Apply them to your situation in order to decide whether you should stay, or if you should go.