<p>I worked at Credit Suisse for an internship last week. However, my parents decided to make me quit and go work at a lab in a local state university instead. Since I want to major in something business related, I strongly believe that my parents made a horrible decision to make me quit Credit Suisse. Here’s what I did/am doing in both:</p>
<p>Credit Suisse: Worked with an experienced proprietary trader who graduated from Harvard. He let me use a certain amount of money to trade stock on my own (usually used several hundred shares of Apple or IBM for transactions), and I ended up making a pretty decent amount of money by the end of the week. I also got to observe how he traded, and he explained why he bought/sold at a certain time. I usually worked with him for around six hours a day. Overall, I learned a ton and my interest in going into business skyrocketed. </p>
<p>Lab: I get to do simple tasks such as cleaning test tubes, making gels, and sectioning samples – pretty much stuff that any highschooler could get to do if he/she asked. When I’m not doing those things (which usually only take up 2-3 hours of the time I’m there), I have to sit at the side doing nothing. Overall I spend 75% of the time not doing anything. </p>
<p>Now I’m trying to convince my parents to let me go back to Credit Suisse for a week, since I’m going on vacation right afterward. However, my parents are very stubborn and are adamant on me staying at the lab. Can you guys give me some solid and convincing reasons why the CS internship is far superior to working at the lab? Also, will working at Credit Suisse for an extra week help at all for college apps?</p>
<p>Because I already worked in the lab last year, my parents think that going back will show colleges that I’m “committed” to working at the lab, and will in turn be more useful than the business internship. Also, my parents want me to “get to know what it’s like working in a lab,” although I already know since I worked there last year.</p>
<p>Are your parents OK with the business related major? </p>
<p>Personally, I think a kid who looks like he’s exploring lots of different kinds of career paths is going to look more attractive to a college than a kid who did the same summer thing twice–especially if the same thing is the same low level grunt work that it was the year before. I would try the argument that showing ‘commitment to an EC’ only works if the commitment results in increasing responsibility and complexity which, it sounds like is not the case for you. </p>
<p>I think you should do what you want. One week either place isn’t going matter much admissions wise.</p>
<p>The Credit Suisse gig sounds absolutely amazing. It totally beats your lab work. Get your job at CS back immediately and quit your job at the laboratory. I haven’t met many people who work at a bulge bracket bank while in high school… this EC would make you look epic on college apps.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. Another thing I want to add is that working at the lab has actually decreased my interest in pursuing biology as a minor or backup if I don’t get into a good undergrad business school.</p>