<p>I’m currently doing an internship/co-op at a company. I originally thought of this as a co-op type assignment for me where I would alternate work and school and told them this was what I was planning on doing (not formally with my school’s co-op office but something I sort of set up on my own). However I’ve discovered that I am really not sure what I want to do with my civil engineering degree and want to work with another company in another area/specialty to see what that is like and get as much exposure as possible before I graduate or even before senior year when I get to pick my own classes. Don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed my experience this semester and would not mind doing what I’m doing as a career but I am not 100% sure and I just turned 20 a few months ago so I feel I can do some self exploration while I have time.</p>
<p>That being said, how is the best way to tell them that I am not coming back (yet if possible leaving the possibility of coming back to work for them after college?) and when should I do it if I am leaving the first week of May without it being awkward? I can think of three people I would need to talk with: the human resources person who originally interviewed me, the assistant manager who decided to hire the intern and my current supervisor/boss. </p>
<p>Any advice about this would be great! Thanks!</p>
<p>There was a contract just for me to complete 640 hours of work which I will have done by the first week of May. However, I did say I would stay for another semester (and my supervisor and the assistant manager definitely know this) so I have created an expectation that I will be back in the fall and I definitely need to talk to someone.</p>
<p>I think we need a little more information. What exactly is the setup in terms of your commitment to them and them to you? Is the first week of May the planned end of this particular cycle of your “coop”? Or are you leaving early even within a planned assignment?</p>
<p>You’re probably smart to explore a variety of options before you graduate. But, as you say, you don’t want to burn bridges at a place that might be a viable career option for you.</p>
<p>My own advice on when to talk to someone would depend on the exact particulars of what you had set up with them.</p>
<p>Alright I’ll give a little bit more information. I’m currently a junior at Clemson and am part of the US Forest Service Student Career Experience Program. Upon completing 640 hours, I am eligible for conversion to a full time position with the Forest Service. However, I read the contract over and if I work for someone else, I forfeit the chance at conversion unless I can agree to something with the forest manager (from what I read).</p>
<p>I originally wanted to do a co-op with Clemson but my grades were not very good back then so I didn’t get an offer but I did get this offer from the Forest Service. I decided I wanted to set up a “co-op like” experience with them so I told the person who hired me when I was offered that I wanted to rotate school/work for at least 2 rotations. I will have completed my 640 hours after this first semester so technically I have met the requirements of the program but then again it doesn’t really matter if I am not pursuing a full time position after college with the Forest Service (again, not sure what I want to do). However, my supervisor and engineering manager are under the impression that I will be taking classes over the summer and then returning in the fall. This is definitely my fault for not thinking things over clearly and giving a false impression.</p>
<p>What type of CE work are you doing at this internship, and what type would you be doing at the other place? Do you already have a potential internship lined up at the other place for the fall?</p>
<p>I’m currently working with the forest service and it’s really different than your typical civil engineering job. There’s zero design work involved since I work for the government and we mostly contract out all our stuff for other contractors to do. I have been writing bid packages for the contractors this semester as well as going out to make sure that the contractor is doing the job right. For stuff we can’t contract out, we do the work ourselves so I have had a good mix of office and field work. Currently, we are working on a project to build a plot of trees for an experiment. I was outside surveying as well as using GPS/GIS to design and get the row of trees lined up straight and this weekend I am out there planting the trees (we had a contractor clear and grub the plot, we are doing the rest).</p>
<p>So it’s not your typical civil engineering job and I feel like I need to see what that is like. I really enjoy my internship and look forward to going to work everyday and have learned a lot about the construction process and how it works. I’m an outdoors person and enjoy the fact that I am not forced to sit in my office 40 hours a week. Also, another interest of mine is transportation and I want to see what a job with transportation is like (at the forest service, the most we do is put in a small gravel road once in a while).</p>
<p>I currently have an internship lined up with a company that does the signaling for railroads as well as other major civil projects. I need to let them know what my plans are for the summer are by the first week of April. I have also sent in other applications for summer internships that I will hear back from soon but at least I have one that I am very interested in. It would give me a chance to see what work on major projects on the transportation side of things are. I am planning on working this summer because out of state tuition prices are just too high for the summer so I will work in the summer and then attend fall and spring semester at Clemson next year (then maybe another summer internship before my last semester). </p>
<p>Oh I almost forgot but after working 640 hours with the Forest Service, I am eligible for conversion to a full time position (GS-9, ~$47-48,000/yr) with the Forest Service (could be anywhere). HOWEVER, if I work for someone else before I graduate, I forfeit the right to earn the conversion unless an agreement can be reached between myself and the Forest Manager.</p>
<p>That’s going to be a little tricky. Since you’ve already told them you’d stay for another semester, reversing course now may make you look a little unreliable. However, many adults are more tolerant about this in a college student than we would be in a career adult. A lot depends on the “culture” of the company and the personality of your supervisor. </p>
<p>The conversion option is, as you know, a biggie; and I’d counsel my D to think long and hard before walking away from a guaranteed job after graduation. OTOH, I do like your curiosity and desire to explore other aspects of your field and of course, the more varied experiences you have, the more hire-able you will be – and the more you’ll know about what kind of career you want. Plus, it’s entirely possible that those other internships may someday lead to a job. But be sure to consider what the job prospects are if you do have to go looking for a job after graduation. </p>
<p>If after thinking about that, you’re still sure you want to leave your current position, then you need to have a heart-to-heart with your supervisor. Tell him/her everything you’ve told us – you like the job but want to explore other things while you’re still in school, you’d like if possible to leave the door open to come back after graduation. Acknowledge – without excuses – that this is a change from what you previously told them, and apologize for any inconvenience. You’ll increase the odds of a positive response if you’re forthright and respectful. Regardless of the outcome, express sincere gratitude for the opportunity they’ve given you.</p>
<p>As for timing, do it ASAP. That gives them more time to make other arrangements, which they’ll appreciate.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with not being sure. However, don’t expect them to hold your position after you look to see if there is anything better out there. </p>
<p>You will have to make a choice because odds are you won’t be welcome back there if you leave.</p>
<p>BTW… how do you like Clemson? I’m visiting in a few weeks with my daughter. Anything we should definitely see while there?</p>
<p>My suggestion (although I am NOT entirely sure it’s the best suggestion; just something to consider): I would speak first to the Human Resourcer person. Lay your cards right on the table in a tone of “I’d like your advice on this.” Tell him/her that you completed your 640 hours sooner than you expected; that you really enjoy the Forest Service and still see it as a good career option after graduation; but that you feel you need to explore other things (just as you outlined to us above). </p>
<p>See how the HR person reacts, what s/he advises. Then approach the hiring manager and your own supervisor based on what you learn from this meeting.</p>
<p>HR people often see their roles as career counselors and helping you find your best place, even if it means a job change… not necessarily feeling you should be loyal to their company/agency for loyalty’s sake. </p>