Work or internship?

[Hopeful2025]

I am applying to both a job as a lifeguard this summer as well as an internship with my congressman, same one who I will be applying for a nomination under. I understand that even if I internship, it will bear almost no weight to whether or not I get a nomination or not. However, I am wondering which Admissions would like to see more if I had to choose between one or the other. I have no prior work experience, but I did do a political internship over summer 2 years ago. Which do you think is a better option to take?

 

[MidCakePa]

Which one of the two experiences will allow you to demonstrate leadership? As in: determine a needed change, rally others to the cause, achieve the mission, make a real impact? That’s the one to go with. Putting In the hours, and not much more, has little impact on your application. Now, if you need the job for money, that might push you in that direction.

 

[Hopeful2025]

Which one of the two experiences will allow you to demonstrate leadership? As in: determine a needed change, rally others to the cause, achieve the mission, make a real impact? That’s the one to go with. Putting In the hours, and not much more, has little impact on your application. Now, if you need the job for money, that might push you in that direction.

While it may be hard to exactly be able to demonstrate "leadership" under either one as you are working to learn or just starting out, the dilemma is I feel like I would be able to get good stories I could say during my nomination interview or BGO interview with the internship, however I feel like by working, I would be able to check off the work box on the app.

 

[MidCakePa]

@Hopeful2025, one can demonstrate leadership in any setting. DD did it as an operations intern at a food-manufacturing facility and as an entry-level paid lifeguard — all before applying to three SAs. Doesn’t matter if you’re just “learning” or “starting out,” true leaders find a way to lead. It can be done.

 

[Hopeful2025]

@Hopeful2025, one can demonstrate leadership in any setting. DD did it as an operations intern at a food-manufacturing facility and as an entry-level paid lifeguard — all before applying to three SAs. Doesn’t matter if you’re just “learning” or “starting out,” true leaders find a way to lead. It can be done.

Your right. I will figure it out.

 

[usna1985]

I would do what interests you most and what you think will benefit you most as a person. Ask yourself what you'll be doing in the internship -- is that something you want to do? Will you get to answer constituent email/letters? Work on legislation? Or will you just sit around and watch others? As a lifeguard, will you be able to do other things? For example, at our pool, lifeguards offer swimming lessons (for a fee), run the snack bar, clean the pool, etc.

My personal view is that both will be equally beneficial -- you are doing something productive that you can talk about. So do what your gut tells you will be more interesting and rewarding.

 

[Hopeful2025]

I would do what interests you most and what you think will benefit you most as a person. Ask yourself what you'll be doing in the internship -- is that something you want to do? Will you get to answer constituent email/letters? Work on legislation? Or will you just sit around and watch others? As a lifeguard, will you be able to do other things? For example, at our pool, lifeguards offer swimming lessons (for a fee), run the snack bar, clean the pool, etc.

My personal view is that both will be equally beneficial -- you are doing something productive that you can talk about. So do what your gut tells you will be more interesting and rewarding.

Thank you for that. I think I will go with the internship as I am interested in politics, and want to major in PoliSci so this will be highly beneficial and interesting to me. The main reason the job crossed my mind and it being a dilemma was the fact that I could have used it to check off the "work" box in applications.