Job Predicament
 

I currently have a paid internship at this small design firm gaining professional experience. Recently I was offered a database entry job at this big publishing company that pays more and has benefits. If I get the job I'm not sure if I should take it or not. It has nothing to do with my career. I'm not sure when my internship will end. They have me on a needs basis right and have no idea when they won't need me anymore. So it's a tough call. What is more important? Job experience or money? What do you guys think?

How old are you? It all depends on whether or not you want to build a career out of your current job. If you think you have a future with the design company, stay, but if you need money to sustain yourself and build up some padding in the bank account then go with the database company until you can find another, more enjoyable job.

I'm 25. I graduate art school a year ago (I changed my major, that's why I'm so old graduating). This internship is my first real professional job.

I'd stick it out with the internship for as long as I could. Nothing more valuable on a resume than job experience.

Yeah, but he's already got the internship on his resume. Go with the data entry, then you can put two companies on your resume.

Definitely data entry- you can already put down that you've worked with the internship, and if you're truly skilled, you might be able to stick with both.

Unless you have to move or something- anyway, I'd say do the data entry.

I agree with Carn. As a hiring exec I look for experience in the field first. Any quick switching of jobs is a trigger for the "job hopper" flag. If you need the cash and the benefits then go the other way but if that's not a real immediate concern and you have legitimate long term objectives then ride out the internship.

Take my advice with a grain of salt, but I find that many people get careers outside of what they got a degree in.

Some people view having a school degree simply as "You had the tenacity to acheive" and just because your career path may be different that what you were educated in doesn't really matter.

You have a hard choice jesus, I won't lie to you. Most people intern during school, because they see graduating as when to cross that next line. Normally out of school is when people plan on making more money and a career.

My only suggestion is that if you don't need that extra money. Need is the keyword. If you don't need that money, stay with the internship. Like the medical field, the graphics field gets better and better as you become more involved in the culture and social politics of that machine. If you need the money then that database job may not be bad, but don't set yourself up to regret your decision in 1~2 years.

(I think this is by far one of the biggest post i've put on the tfp in a while)

Stick with the internship. It's not just about experience in your field, it's about contacts in your field. If you think you're making contacts that'll help you later -- either to get work with this outfit or with another one in your chosen field, stick with it.

As for experience -- the more different types of projects you work on in that job, the more marketable you are. I realize you need economic security, but this job is also an extension of your education and career development. If you're really determined to work in your field, hang in there. The company you're interning with may let you go, but for all the other reasons a few more months there will be a net gain, at least in the near future.

I agree - the internship goes much further than you think. database entry will get old, and QUICK. you will be unhappy and losing your skills youve learned every day.

Looks like I'll be going for that database job now. I've just been laid off my internship. Apparently they're too busy to show me the ropes of the business.

hah well at least it's not a predicament anymore.

yeah umm keep that chin up, and don't get stuck doin what you don't want to do.

I hate it when these decisions are taken out of my hands. :(