I’m with you, also with a college sophomore who had to have field experience this summer and had a local option that pays more and a live-away option that pays less. Guess where she’s going…
She is familiar with the boss at the local one and it would be okay but not 100% what she wants to do. The other one is more like where she would want to be as a career and doing this will put her on their radar for sure and maybe lead to a job after graduation.
So I think it is worth it and I’m hoping she can get a job at school next fall. She made enough last summer to carry her through this school year. This summer won’t be nearly as profitable as last, but that job was hard on her mental health. (And the local one would be nearly the same thing but with a slightly better boss.) It’s time for a more enjoyable summer.