Employment Options for the Summer
March 12th, 2011 | Categories: Travel, Work | 9 CommentsIn a remarkable change to my summer unemployment dilemma of 2009, I have two very excellent employment options for this summer. The only problem is that I have to choose which one I want; due to the location of each position I can’t do both.
As I would say in Chinese, 怎么办？(“What’s to be done?”)
Option #1: Interning at a PR firm in Beijing
Internships are obviously a great thing to have listed on a resume, and interning at a first-class PR firm in Beijing would be pretty damn amazing. I’d get tons of work experience in my field and also get to know what the industry is like in another country, and how PR strategies and such differ from country to country. As a full-time intern, I’d be fully immersed in my work environment and would have awesome opportunities to improve and expand my skill set. This internship would be the most related to my field out of all the work experience I’ve had so far.
But there are cons, of course. I’d be an unpaid intern, and I’d have to cover living expenses out of pocket. I also wouldn’t be able to use much, if any, of my Chinese at my internship because of the nature of the company and my position. Yes, I would still be able to use my Chinese in daily life, but not being able to use it (or improve it) in a professional setting is a little discouraging.
Option #2: Teaching English just outside Shanghai
I have never taught English before, but I would make bank doing so in China. The teaching gig I’m looking at is a pretty sweet deal, too. I would get paid to teach and receive free room and board as well as free Chinese lessons. Three of my friends are also considering this employment opportunity, so it would be all of us working at the same school this summer.
My issue with this is that it is not in Beijing, a city I have grown to love. It isn’t even in Shanghai either, but right outside it. I like everything that a big city in China has to offer, so I am a little skeptical of how well I would adjust to not living in the city.
I have to decide between one of the two soon, and I have no idea how I am going to be able to make this decision. Input, anyone?
Tags: china, internship
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Hi, I'm Manda. I'm a college student studying communications and languages. I like to read, shop, bake, and travel. I have a tendency to listen to my favorite songs on repeat for hours on end. Sometimes I catch myself thinking in a language other than English. 
If the first internship were paid, then the choice would be really easy, wouldn’t it?
I’d probably ultimately choose to teach, because having an income is really nice. But there seem to be more long-term benefits with the first one. *sigh*
If I were you, I’d go with the second once, because of the chance it offers you to improve your Chinese :) (As well as the fact that it pays).
I understand that you like living in a large city, but haven’t you done that for the year? I mean, you would get a different look at China I think if you were not living in a city for a while :)
I’m with Emsz. It would be helpful to get an experience outside of a city in China. It is a very different experience, but it would be a great one and totally worth it, I think.
Both are great opportunities, Manda. Congratulations on having the chance at both! You’re such a hard worker. :)
Personally, I would choose the first. Perhaps that stems from my being in a similar situation and going with that option. ;) Yeah, it kind of sucks not getting paid, but in today’s job market, you have you get your foot in the door somehow. Any sort of work experience in the field you’re hoping to get into is worth it in my eyes no matter what the cost. It’s invaluable insight and experience.
Sounds like a super tough decision. In the long run, the first option would go a long way and amp your resume up real well, but making a living sometimes trumps all. The second one still sounds like a great opportunity and a fun challenge, so I’m more inclined towards that option.
Obviously you’re torn between the pros and cons of both, but since they are pretty much carbon opposites, I think it all comes down to what you would like to do the most. With #1, you’ll probably be more in your comfort zone and have a general good ol’ time. With #2 you wont be in the middle of a bustling city, but there’s all the NEW things you’ll see and learn which you wouldn’t at #1. So I think at the end of the day it’s all preference. Because all your readers can give you are what they would pick with THEIR own set of preferences, you know?
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