<p>This summer I have an internship lined up. It was supposed to be 8 weeks long, but that got reduced to 4 weeks. I was looking at making 4k a month so it would have helped out a lot at home and to pay off school. Anyways, that got cut like I said so instead of making 8k over the summer, I’m looking at 4k with two months without working in the summer. The reason they cut down the internship program time is because of the economy. They say it’s affected employees at work too, not just the internship program, and that they’ve had to make a few changes because of the recession. On the bright side, I still get to do the internship, and I’m making a decent amount for an internship I think. On the flip side, I was hoping to impress enough to be allowed to continue working through the summer. In the past they’ve allowed interns to do that (I know because I talked to a few workers there when I went to the info sessions/interviews).</p>
<p>Should I bother asking the company if there would be any chance at all to work through the rest of the summer? Or would that be frowned upon?</p>
<p>I’m looking for other jobs to earn some more money this summer during the time I’m off. I don’t know how lucky I’ll be, but we’ll see what happens. The reason I’m even asking this is because the situation at home financially is pretty bad (the income is coming from one parent now, making near min wage in nyc). I honestly don’t know what to do. I want to help out at home, but at the same time I feel helpless. I have 3 jobs at school right now (total of 23 hrs/week). I’m looking for a 4th one in order to save up more and help at home and pay for school. Needless to say, I just don’t know how I’m going to approach this. It feels all so overwhelming financially and emotionally too (the health of one of my parents is the reason there’s only one source of income right now).</p>
<p>How does one cope through something like this? I feel like by the time I finish the semester the family might be out on the streets.</p>
<p>First-congratulations in landing the internship! And, an internship that pays!!
With that being said…if your internship is one you feel will boost your experience on your resume, then you would benefit from taking the position as modified. The monies lost may pay you back many times over after you graduate. Also, it may be by the time you go to work for that firm, additional monies may become available.
If your internship is strictly based on your earning power, then you may wish to continue looking-but not say anything to your company until you have confirmed another source for employment. The other internship/job may tag nicely with the existing position in which case you could do both.
Go into this with your eyes wide open, be flexible, and be professional.
Good Luck!</p>
<p>You have a great attitude in wanting to help your parent’s. I’m sure with your tenacity you’ll be able to find other work in NYC this summer. It may not be a dream job, but canvas the city and you’ll find something.</p>
<p>Many companies are cutting back on interns and new hires. It’s nice that this one still wants to give interns the opportunity and didn’t cut them completely. This means it’s unlikely they will let you work more than the 4 weeks. It looks like they have a budget and are spreading it among as many as possible to get to see all of you. </p>
<p>When you get there work longer and harder than everyone else and who knows?</p>
<p>Good luck to you. You sound like a great kid. I will keep my fingers crossed that something else terrific comes your way for the remainder of the summer.</p>
<p>BTW – if something else terrific doesn’t come your way, and if the company doesn’t have any $$$ to pay you beyond the $4,000, you might consider working for them for free. It will add to your resume (saying you worked there for a summer is better than saying you worked there for a month), it will give you real-life experience, and when the market turns around, they’ll think of hiring you full-time first.</p>
<p>Emotionally alone it has to be very hard and I am sorry you have to go through this. If things are so dire that you feel the family will be out on the street, please see your financial aid office and explain what is happening…see if there is anything they can offer you with loans etc. Worst comes to worst you could withdraw perhaps for a year, work full time to help your family and then come back…they should be able to advise you.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. i will speak to a fin aid officer this week hopefully and see what they have to say. i only have one semester left so i’ll see how they can help out and what options are available. i will still be looking for another job, not to replace this one i’ve already secured, but to earn some money and experience for the two months i’m off (I just can’t picture doing nothing for 2 months). worst case scenario I could offer to work a bit longer for free at the internship i have (though not too long, b/c after a while the commute will probably cost me too much). at this point all i can do is plan, prepare and hope for the best. in this kind of economy that’s all one can really do it seems.</p>