Offered an interview for IT internship, is it right for me?

Stotic

I am currently a Junior looking for an internship for this summer. I recently went to a career fair and made several contacts and resume drops. I got an email from a company requesting an interview. The problem is is that this is a web development company that utilizes xml, javascript, xhtml, etc. I have some experience with it (I took 2 web dev classes last year), but I'm not very fluent with web development outside of basic html. I had it on my resume though so that's why he was probably interested. Another setback is that its a nonpaid internship. My main question is, should I take the interview, tell him that I'll get back to him soon (because I want to wait for other responses), or ignore it all together because its nonpaid and in a field I don't want to pursue (I'm pursuing networking). Most of my IT experience is in the networking field besides those web dev courses.

I guess the easy answer is to ignore it after that last statement, but with the competition of IT internships out there I feel it might be better to just take anything IT related or I might be stuck busing tables this summer. Its just that I'm nervous about the whole interview process because, like I said, its not a field I'm very knowledgable of motivated in.

Thanks for reading, and hopefully responding.

Mishra

I have a feeling that some might not like my answer... However, I believe you should go on the interview and try your best. You shouldn't go to try to get the job, but you should go for the experience. And at the end of the interview when they ask if you are still interested tell them your true feelings and apologize and tell them thank you for considering me.

After the interview is over then continue on your search for an internship for a job in your field. While you have downtime during non-job times, study for a certification.

Sunshine_54

I say you goto the interview anyways. It'll be a good fall back job in case you can't find anything better. It'll still look good on a resume and probably help you find another computer related job down the road. That is unless you know you have something better lined up.

newdamage1

I would say go and get the interview experience, and when (if) it is offered tell them that you have several other interviews/offers pending, and you will get back to them once the other offers come in.

You still run the risk of losing the internship due to putting them off, so weigh that with what else you have going.

Good luck!
Kelly

TechJunky

An internship means learn as you go. I would highly recommend applying for this position. All internship positions I had applied for in the past were looking for someone familiar with the technology. They then usually pair you up with someone at their company and you become their padawan so to speak. It would be great experience and look great on a resume. Employers see internships without pay as a highly motivated potential employee.

Like everyone else has stated. If nothing else comes from the interview, at least you will get interview experience.


Good luck!