Internship dilemma

I have a dilemma. I have two internships I’m pursuing and one of them has two separate analyst programs: spring and summer. When interviewed I told the staff I was interested in both but now I have a potential offer from another firm that I’m interested in for the summer.

Do you think I will get dinged if I go back and tell the first firm I just want to apply for the spring.

They told me to keep them updated on my recruitment process so that’s the only reason I was thinking it might be ok but just wanted to get peoples thoughts on how to communicate without pissing anyone off.

9 Comments
 

My main concern is that if I tell them that it will make it obvious to them that I am pursuing another opportunity over theirs for the summer. Most people who apply to their program end up doing the spring and summer internship together, so I guess I’m trying to figure out how to tell them I just want to do the spring without offending them or making them think that I think less of their firm versus the other summer internship.

 

You're overthinking this. If the other offer is at a better firm just take that one. Don't tell the initial place until you have that offer secured, you aren't doing yourselves any favors otherwise. After that you can just let them know respectfully and tell them you are still interested in the spring application. If they change their mind so be it, you still have an offer in hand. 

 

The only thing is I have to answer to the first firm later this month and I don’t hear back from the other one till December (pretty sure I’m going to get it, but won’t have official offer till then), so I’m just trying to figure out what to tell the first firm when I say what reason I don’t want to apply for the summer internship anymore without offending them or ruining my chances for getting the spring position.

 

To echo the above, you are overthinking this. Not to offend, but firms really don't think about intern prospects this much. And... honestly, the fact that someone has interest in multiple firms is normal, in fact, why wouldn't they just assume this? Being in a "multiple offer" situation is always good, never hurts your position with anyone. You are afraid of seeming "unloyal" to a firm that has literally offered you nothing at this stage, think about this!!!

 

You're allowed to pursue other opportunities - they are pursuing other candidates....

Tell them you would rather the Spring. But my only question is what if you don't get the opportunity? Do you have a potential offer or do you actually have an offer from the other firm? If it is an offer from the other firm, take it, and call the first one and tell them you want spring. Otherwise, don't count your chickens until they hatch. 

 

You're overthinking this. Depends on your confidence in your ability to get the summer offer, but I might just apply for spring only. If you don't have an offer in hand, keep on applying to spring and summer and if you end up with two competing offers, tell the other firm that you can only do spring but not summer. 

 

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