Need internship advice for son

[68camaro]

Given two options for an college internship, what would you value more, massive name recognition and respect and prestige in company you don't think you would stay at or top 100 firm in type of work you like but their industry focus may not be industry you want to focus on?

Short on details but thanks, this board has a lot of successful people so your thoughts appreciated.

[jrs146]

I would think the internship would be much more valuable if it was on the field of work your son wanted to peruse. Even if he doesn’t see himself with that company he will walk away with more than just a line item on his resume.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[newbee1]

I’d go with the type of work he likes no mater what the domain is. Best wishes to him!

[68camaro]

Thanks, he wants consulting but in specific industry, the other would get alot of attention I am sure, but not sure career path he wants to go down.

[dba]

I'd have him go towards the path within which he wants to make his career and try not to let your desires for him cloud any advice you may give him.

I tried to steer my son towards at least a minor in some type of engineering but he had his heart set on physics, astrophysics and astronomy. Now he's in the Physics Master's Program at university.

Your son has his own mind; my son has his own mind. Sometimes as much as we may not want to believe it, our children know stuff.

Best of luck to them both!

[jw0n]

In my humble opinion, if this is an internship, then jack of all trades first to learn a variety of skills. He can focus and master on specifics later on in his career.

[BBL]

From my own experience, started out on one path... discovered it didn't work for me. Went back to college and changed careers in my 40s.
If it were me making this decision, I would do the "broad brush" first, take lessons learned, and then later narrow down to my desired direction.

[Abdullah71601]

My older brother interned at an oil company in college. He is an engineer and thought the experience would be valuable. He manages one of the largest refineries in the US now, so I think it lit the match that got him in the perfect career for him.

We have interns that seem to be looking for a leg up with us. They learn our business, and quickly learn whether this is something they want to pursue.

If your son has an interest in the work, the industry focus isn't as important IMO as getting his feet wet in the work he would be passionate about.

[68camaro]

Thanks all, todays his decision day and he keeps bouncing between the two, its his decision so I am trying not to put my bias in. I think either would be really good, both can take him to where he wants to go but by a different route.

I just want him to make decision for right reasons.

[wilmotrogers]

My recommendation would be to start at the larger company with name recognition. If he wants to go work at a smaller shop, a lot of times those places are built by people who started at the larger firms and didn’t like the politics, size, etc. So there will be a common discussion point. Always can go to a smaller shop. Getting into a larger firm is generally harder later in the game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[breitlings]

I thought about this I would go to the company that is bigger.

[77T]

To not know what he may pursue down the road makes the choice tougher...

When in doubt, go with "massive name recognition and respect and prestige in company you don't think you would stay". My reason for saying that is this: if you do stay, then you gained valuable experience; if you don't stay the "massive name recognition" boosts your resume for the next interview.


Spending time at a "top 100 firm in type of work you like but their industry focus may not be industry you want to focus on" is nice perhaps. For example, he would like the work but not sure what he wants to focus on. So the value of this is that he might come to terms with his ambivalence.

On balance the best career choice is #1 IMHO - the best soul searching choice is #2 - either way he gains something...

[The Libertine]

Definitely the industry over the name.

[ejvette]

The big company looks great on the resume he has plenty of time move to a smaller co.

[BBL]

Would this list help him decide which direction he would like first? Which of the two internships would give balance on his future resume?

According to Uptowork, re resume building, leadership and the ability to work on a team are the most desirable skills for a resume. More than 75% of employers searched for those skills among new college graduate hires.

Fewer employers will look for “technical skills,” so a great set of soft skills can help make your resume shine.

Uptowork reports that the top five universally desired career skills are:

• communication (written and verbal),
• leadership,
• planning and strategic thinking,
• analytical thinking and research, and
• teamwork or collaborative work.

From: https://clark.com/employment-militar...7e7fe-71296069

[Michigan_State]

If he wants to get into consulting, name recognition will score him points. So, go big and be as practical as a consultant.

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

My opinion is to take the position that's most like what he thinks he wants to do... this is an opportunity to learn more about himself and his target industry.

[RazorD]

Working for a larger company, and having interns in our office every year, I would say they tend not to get as much learning in other than “exposure”. If he’s looking for hands on experience, you may be better off with a smaller place that is actually looking for the help vs. a larger company doing it mainly for community relations. Just my $0.02

As I evaluate candidates, I put more of a premium on transferable skills when I screen a resume than I do on name recognition.

[Wcdhtwn]

Internships are important but he isn't deciding on a final career or pigeonholing himself with this decision. Probably best to pursue the one that is the closest match to his interests as he's really trying to discover his future path more than just pad his resume.

Would it be possible for him to pursue both? Do one then the other? I realize internships often have a specific window but if one of the two can be flexible then he can get the name prestige and the experience where his interests currently are.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by 68camaro

Given two options for an college internship, what would you value more, massive name recognition and respect and prestige in company you don't think you would stay at or top 100 firm in type of work you like but their industry focus may not be industry you want to focus on?

Short on details but thanks, this board has a lot of successful people so your thoughts appreciated.

how about you let your adult son decide?

[Star Ferry]

At his age, the first choice. Interning at a place like Google, Goldman Sachs, or McKinsey will open major doors for years to come.

for example, you can jump from a McKinsey summer to any industry full time. you probably can't jump from an F500 corporate job to McKinsey