Advice for leaving an internship

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

Hi.

I’m a rising senior this fall. I worked with a local company in my university’s town as an intern from Sept 2016 until May 2017, when I left for an internship back at home over the summer. I went from a company of about 50 employees to a corporation with 10,000+. Now that the summer is over, my internship has wrapped and it’s time to go back to school, I’m not sure that my old internship is where I want to be. They have saved my position and are all excited for me to return – I just really don’t think that I want to. The work was at one time fulfilling, but I have learned so much more from my internship over the summer and want to continue expanding on that with new opportunities. I already have some interest from other companies…

Any advice on how I should leave the internship for another opportunity? Should I leave if I feel like I’m needing different experiences? Is this burning bridges?

2

Tell them you’ve really enjoyed the opportunity they provided to you, but that you would like to explore other possible interests. I think most employers understand that most people (especially college students) want to keep their options open until they’re ready to carve a career path. I don’t think you’re burning any bridges as long as you’re being respectful and grateful.