S2 (college junior) had a wonderful internship experience last summer - it was paid, here in DC, a young fun company, etc. The only minor issue was it wasn’t in his major which he didn’t care about as he enjoyed learning their business and getting some real-world work experience.
Last week, they contacted him and offered him the same internship. He is very happy to know he has something secure, but was planning on applying to 2 other, very-competitive internship programs (doing exactly what he want to pursue) whose applications have just been released. He is very qualified for these 2 positions, so has a chance, but obviously he fully understands the competition will be tough.
He is asking what he should tell the other company that has already offered him a position? They are asking for his schedule and when he can start. Should he be honest and tell them he is also applying to these other places? That seems so risky as nothing is a sure thing - certainly not these programs. Or should he tell them he is on-board, give them his schedule, apply to the other places, wait for the results and deal with it later if he gets an offer? I suggested the latter, but he feels it is dishonest and dreads having to do that…
Maybe I am wrong, but I would assume the company would understand? He is so concerned about looking like a jerk --he really likes the company and the people. Yet, these other 2 positions are his “dream jobs” and if he was lucky enough to get an offer he would certainly take it.
Any ideas?