Help me plan my summer.
April 20, 2010 6:01 PM
I am a junior in high school. Please help me decide between two programs to do over the summer.
I'm hoping to go to college and eventually end up with a profession in English - maybe publishing?
For this summer, my main goal is to explore something that interests me, but I also want it to be something that strengthens my college applications. There are two ways my summer could go:
A. I applied through my state's governor's school program for an internship at a local university. Now I have the option of working in the school's biochem department. My family and friends are urging me to take it, because doing research would be a productive way to spend my summer, and it's a fairly prestigious opportunity. However, I'm worried that, since I don't have a strong interest in science, it'll look inconsistent with the rest of my activities. Furthermore, I'm not sure I'd enjoy doing lab work every day for 6 weeks.
B. If I don't take the internship, my summer suddenly becomes a lot less structured. I'm thinking about doing things such as volunteering at the library or a literacy organization. I could write essays to submit to contests or get a job. Do you have any other suggestions for activities that would benefit and interest a future English major?
I'm hoping to go to college and eventually end up with a profession in English - maybe publishing?
For this summer, my main goal is to explore something that interests me, but I also want it to be something that strengthens my college applications. There are two ways my summer could go:
A. I applied through my state's governor's school program for an internship at a local university. Now I have the option of working in the school's biochem department. My family and friends are urging me to take it, because doing research would be a productive way to spend my summer, and it's a fairly prestigious opportunity. However, I'm worried that, since I don't have a strong interest in science, it'll look inconsistent with the rest of my activities. Furthermore, I'm not sure I'd enjoy doing lab work every day for 6 weeks.
B. If I don't take the internship, my summer suddenly becomes a lot less structured. I'm thinking about doing things such as volunteering at the library or a literacy organization. I could write essays to submit to contests or get a job. Do you have any other suggestions for activities that would benefit and interest a future English major?
Getting a job is never a bad thing, and it doesn't preclude a lot of the other things you mention - you'll only be working part time after all. Wherever you are, there are tons of opportunities to volunteer teaching kids reading skills or the English language. If you post your location, it's possible that some mefites will have suggestions for tutoring.
Also - I understand that you're interested in exploring your interest in English, that's awesome. However, don't let your interest become myopic - keep your experiences broad and you'll find when you get to college that there are a lot more experiences available to you.
posted by Think_Long at 6:06 PM on April 20, 2010
Also - I understand that you're interested in exploring your interest in English, that's awesome. However, don't let your interest become myopic - keep your experiences broad and you'll find when you get to college that there are a lot more experiences available to you.
posted by Think_Long at 6:06 PM on April 20, 2010
Take the research opportunity. Even a small liberal arts school will like seeing it on your resume when you start applying. You shouldn't worry about something looking inconsistent with the rest of your activities, you are in high school and nobody expects you to know what you want to do with the rest of your life or even with your college major(even if you think you know!).
You will not regret it, colleges want to see someone who is well rounded!
posted by Funky Claude at 6:16 PM on April 20, 2010
You will not regret it, colleges want to see someone who is well rounded!
posted by Funky Claude at 6:16 PM on April 20, 2010
You should take the internship. It will look great on you resume (applications) no matter what you decide to do after that. (+who knows? You may like it and have a productive life unlike all English majors. -- OK, that was a bit of sarcasm, but still knowing about science is useful to writers and publishers.)
It's quite possible that the internship won't be that demanding and you can find some time to do some volunteer work too (which would not hurt.), but don't forget to live a life too.
posted by Some1 at 6:16 PM on April 20, 2010
It's quite possible that the internship won't be that demanding and you can find some time to do some volunteer work too (which would not hurt.), but don't forget to live a life too.
posted by Some1 at 6:16 PM on April 20, 2010
I live in Greenville, South Carolina, if anyone has any geographically-dependent recommendations.
(Also, is it high school day on AskMefi or something?!)
posted by estlin at 6:18 PM on April 20, 2010
(Also, is it high school day on AskMefi or something?!)
posted by estlin at 6:18 PM on April 20, 2010
You're in junior high - give it a chance. Now is the time to try stuff out to see if you like it or not with little to no consequences. (I know adults who are paying the price for not finding their 'thing' earlier in life and are stuck in jobs they thought they'd like.) There might just be something about it that you'll enjoy or spark another interest, but if you really hate it then you know it's something you tried and really don't like.
You can also look at it like a research project of your own - try doing some writing about the work you do in the lab. You'll also be gaining a lot of "soft skills" that translate to many jobs, not just working in a lab. Another plus is that you can make contacts at the local university that can serve you later on down the line. It's a position that will help you keep the structure you want and still let you have some fun.
There's a difference between having a wide variety of activities/interests and being inconsistent, being well rounded is a good thing.
posted by NoraCharles at 6:18 PM on April 20, 2010
You can also look at it like a research project of your own - try doing some writing about the work you do in the lab. You'll also be gaining a lot of "soft skills" that translate to many jobs, not just working in a lab. Another plus is that you can make contacts at the local university that can serve you later on down the line. It's a position that will help you keep the structure you want and still let you have some fun.
There's a difference between having a wide variety of activities/interests and being inconsistent, being well rounded is a good thing.
posted by NoraCharles at 6:18 PM on April 20, 2010
Before I left for college I did a "pre-pre-med" program for incoming freshmen. It was totally worth the work we were expected to do, even though I didn't end up studying pre-med in undergrad. I learned quite a bit about medicine, but more about myself and my interests.
If you don't like it at all, your reasons for studying English will be more clear to you, and your motivation to continue down that path will hopefully stay high for the many years it will take.
If you do like it, then you might consider tacking on a science double-major in undergrad, which is something I really wish I had done.
If you're like I was before college, nobody will successfully warn you away from the humanities, so at least try the lab for a summer. Don't worry about looking inconsistent; really you'll just look intellectually curious and well-rounded, which are good things!
Speaking from my personal experience, I graduated college last year with a B.A. in philosophy, with no job prospects outside of academia and no desire to continue in philosophy. Now I'm back as a post-bacc student studying pre-med, and boy I wish I had more science or lab credentials!
posted by edguardo at 6:28 PM on April 20, 2010
If you don't like it at all, your reasons for studying English will be more clear to you, and your motivation to continue down that path will hopefully stay high for the many years it will take.
If you do like it, then you might consider tacking on a science double-major in undergrad, which is something I really wish I had done.
If you're like I was before college, nobody will successfully warn you away from the humanities, so at least try the lab for a summer. Don't worry about looking inconsistent; really you'll just look intellectually curious and well-rounded, which are good things!
Speaking from my personal experience, I graduated college last year with a B.A. in philosophy, with no job prospects outside of academia and no desire to continue in philosophy. Now I'm back as a post-bacc student studying pre-med, and boy I wish I had more science or lab credentials!
posted by edguardo at 6:28 PM on April 20, 2010
Nthing the internship - it'll make you a more well-rounded and interesting candidate.
As an anecdote, one of my best friends went to college to study math and weather systems, switched to English at the end of her junior year, and is now doing her PhD in English on issues relating to math/weather in Finnegan's Wake. Similarly, I have my master's in English, and my primary field of interest (Big House literature out of Ireland) originated not from an English class, but from an Art History class entitled 18th Century Decorative Arts, which I only took because I couldn't get into the English class I wanted. What I'm saying is: there are a ton of people studying Twain, or Yeats, or Dickens - you will do wonders for your career as an English major and beyond by combining what you know from English with what you know from the other interesting things you've learned in life. Start now.
posted by katopotato at 6:31 PM on April 20, 2010
As an anecdote, one of my best friends went to college to study math and weather systems, switched to English at the end of her junior year, and is now doing her PhD in English on issues relating to math/weather in Finnegan's Wake. Similarly, I have my master's in English, and my primary field of interest (Big House literature out of Ireland) originated not from an English class, but from an Art History class entitled 18th Century Decorative Arts, which I only took because I couldn't get into the English class I wanted. What I'm saying is: there are a ton of people studying Twain, or Yeats, or Dickens - you will do wonders for your career as an English major and beyond by combining what you know from English with what you know from the other interesting things you've learned in life. Start now.
posted by katopotato at 6:31 PM on April 20, 2010
As someone not much older than you and who went into research early...I say take it.
Heed the advice above who says to not be myopic about your interests. I did, and I regret it. I started with a strong interested in chemistry in high school, got into research very early and got a publication out, racked up as many research opportunities in university as I possibly could (with the exception of this last summer)...and frankly, now that my interest is dying, I've lost focus along with it. So, don't follow my path--try new things that you haven't tried before. Maybe you'll really like it. Also, colleges like it for their applicants to be well-rounded, so trying a subject you've not tried before is great for this.
Bonus: if they accept you, while you might feel incredibly stupid while working there because you're only 16 and thus most things they talk about will go right over your head, it 1) will very possibly make science much more comprehensible and much easier for you afterwards (I never took a single school lab seriously after the first time I did research...practically slept through the lab director's instructions then kicked the lab's ass afterwards...yes, research can be this beneficial), and 2) they will accept you with the understanding that you're still very young and there's a lot you don't know, and thus there will not be much pressure on you to produce Awesome Results compared to, say, a grad student. They know your entire purpose there is to learn, so no one (at least, no one who's not a jackass) will get on your case about not producing results as long as they can see you're trying.
Research, where you are assigned a project and an end goal, also seems to be more positively viewed on resumes than volunteering (I am assuming by volunteering you mean 'going there and doing tasks as assigned', like, say, helping to sort books at the library or something). Volunteering is great, don't get me wrong, but being able to say "okay, so my project's goal was to try and do X, we ran into difficulty Y, I problem-solved by attempting Z, etc etc..." is a strong resume booster.
Don't worry about it not meshing with the rest of your resume. Youth is for exploring!
posted by Hakaisha at 6:33 PM on April 20, 2010
Heed the advice above who says to not be myopic about your interests. I did, and I regret it. I started with a strong interested in chemistry in high school, got into research very early and got a publication out, racked up as many research opportunities in university as I possibly could (with the exception of this last summer)...and frankly, now that my interest is dying, I've lost focus along with it. So, don't follow my path--try new things that you haven't tried before. Maybe you'll really like it. Also, colleges like it for their applicants to be well-rounded, so trying a subject you've not tried before is great for this.
Bonus: if they accept you, while you might feel incredibly stupid while working there because you're only 16 and thus most things they talk about will go right over your head, it 1) will very possibly make science much more comprehensible and much easier for you afterwards (I never took a single school lab seriously after the first time I did research...practically slept through the lab director's instructions then kicked the lab's ass afterwards...yes, research can be this beneficial), and 2) they will accept you with the understanding that you're still very young and there's a lot you don't know, and thus there will not be much pressure on you to produce Awesome Results compared to, say, a grad student. They know your entire purpose there is to learn, so no one (at least, no one who's not a jackass) will get on your case about not producing results as long as they can see you're trying.
Research, where you are assigned a project and an end goal, also seems to be more positively viewed on resumes than volunteering (I am assuming by volunteering you mean 'going there and doing tasks as assigned', like, say, helping to sort books at the library or something). Volunteering is great, don't get me wrong, but being able to say "okay, so my project's goal was to try and do X, we ran into difficulty Y, I problem-solved by attempting Z, etc etc..." is a strong resume booster.
Don't worry about it not meshing with the rest of your resume. Youth is for exploring!
posted by Hakaisha at 6:33 PM on April 20, 2010
I suggest you write to Sy Sanfransky at the Sun for advice on how, so young, you could break into publishing without just printing a bunch of chapbooks of high school fiction and selling it on the local college campus. I have a 2002 bachelor's degree in publishing, probably one of the last to be awarded in a field that is mainly a graduate program (and is a six-week-long MA degree at Columbia School of Journalism!)
I think if you really want to do publishing then I suggest you go to the governor's program and start introducing yourself to whoever manages in-house editing, printing, and graphic design. The reality is those jobs are pretty lucrative and if you can learn how to bid for work you will be able to make a good profession of the trade and probably establish your own house or work as a partner with someone.
I think lab work is laudable but why do it if you don't feel passionate about it? You can do lab work anytime for extra money. Don't pay to do work that is really pretty minimum wage.
posted by parmanparman at 6:34 PM on April 20, 2010
I think if you really want to do publishing then I suggest you go to the governor's program and start introducing yourself to whoever manages in-house editing, printing, and graphic design. The reality is those jobs are pretty lucrative and if you can learn how to bid for work you will be able to make a good profession of the trade and probably establish your own house or work as a partner with someone.
I think lab work is laudable but why do it if you don't feel passionate about it? You can do lab work anytime for extra money. Don't pay to do work that is really pretty minimum wage.
posted by parmanparman at 6:34 PM on April 20, 2010
I strongly disagree with all the people recommending the internship and here's why:
You presented the internship with two indications that you don't expect to like it. "I don't have a strong interest in science" and "I'm not sure I'd enjoy doing lab work every day." Combine this with your suspected interest in a future in English, and I don't see you being tremendously enthusiastic about it even though it's only 6 weeks.
As for your alternatives, I believe it's more valuable to try something you think you're interested in because your expectations will be higher, you might put forth a better effort, and you will either confirm or deny that you actually want to spend the rest of your life doing that sort of thing. If you find you like it, then that's great confirmation. If you find you hate it, then at least you didn't spend your summer at a lab and love/hate that but still constantly wonder whether or not you would have like something English-related.
As for suggestions: Look for internships in the field you're interested in. Start a blog. Self publish a short book (lulu.com). Volunteer as well. Find a summer literacy program you can work with. Read to old people. Write to authors/publishers.
And remember, it's summer. Have fun. You only get so many summers like this.
Colleges may say they want "well rounded" students but then you get into the real world and everybody wants an expert in something in particular. And if you think about the best of the best students, they usually excel and something in particular but still have other interests. You can still accomplish this without diversifying your summer for the sake of being well rounded.
posted by thorny at 6:50 PM on April 20, 2010
You presented the internship with two indications that you don't expect to like it. "I don't have a strong interest in science" and "I'm not sure I'd enjoy doing lab work every day." Combine this with your suspected interest in a future in English, and I don't see you being tremendously enthusiastic about it even though it's only 6 weeks.
As for your alternatives, I believe it's more valuable to try something you think you're interested in because your expectations will be higher, you might put forth a better effort, and you will either confirm or deny that you actually want to spend the rest of your life doing that sort of thing. If you find you like it, then that's great confirmation. If you find you hate it, then at least you didn't spend your summer at a lab and love/hate that but still constantly wonder whether or not you would have like something English-related.
As for suggestions: Look for internships in the field you're interested in. Start a blog. Self publish a short book (lulu.com). Volunteer as well. Find a summer literacy program you can work with. Read to old people. Write to authors/publishers.
And remember, it's summer. Have fun. You only get so many summers like this.
Colleges may say they want "well rounded" students but then you get into the real world and everybody wants an expert in something in particular. And if you think about the best of the best students, they usually excel and something in particular but still have other interests. You can still accomplish this without diversifying your summer for the sake of being well rounded.
posted by thorny at 6:50 PM on April 20, 2010
I want to put in my 2 cents in favor of volunteering.
I don't think a lab internship will be valuable unless you already have an interest in science. If you had taken biochemistry courses in college then you could contribute and get a research experience, or if you loved science then the environment might be exciting. But without some background or interest, it will be just another office job.
If it pays well or you're worried about getting into really competitive schools then go for the internship, but the less structured route seems like it will be more fun.
If you volunteer for something you care about, you can still get a great letter of recommendation, and you can still change your mind and do science in college.
posted by domnit at 7:18 PM on April 20, 2010
I don't think a lab internship will be valuable unless you already have an interest in science. If you had taken biochemistry courses in college then you could contribute and get a research experience, or if you loved science then the environment might be exciting. But without some background or interest, it will be just another office job.
If it pays well or you're worried about getting into really competitive schools then go for the internship, but the less structured route seems like it will be more fun.
If you volunteer for something you care about, you can still get a great letter of recommendation, and you can still change your mind and do science in college.
posted by domnit at 7:18 PM on April 20, 2010
It's 6 weeks. Look, it may have nothing to do with your stated interests, but that's not the point. The point is you'll grow. You'll learn how something happens in the real world. It's a great introduction into what people do out there. Be enthusiastic, learn everything you can, and enjoy it! Nobody there expects you to be an expert, they are willing to take you and teach you what they do! This is an opportunity not to be wasted.
Don't forget, this isn't lab work like highschool chem lab. You're part of a team. You don't understand something, no problem, ask! Somebody will help you.
posted by defcom1 at 7:29 PM on April 20, 2010
Don't forget, this isn't lab work like highschool chem lab. You're part of a team. You don't understand something, no problem, ask! Somebody will help you.
posted by defcom1 at 7:29 PM on April 20, 2010
6 weeks is pretty short, I'm guessing just over half the summer? I would do the internship. You might end up enjoying it. If not, you at least have something awesome on your resume to do something you do enjoy. It's probably only part-time hours wise, and if so, you'll have time even during the internship to have fun and do stuff. Even if you work hard this summer, make sure to have fun and do typical teenager stuff like hanging with friends or whatever. You don't want to risk burning out before senior year, and you also don't want to lose that precious time to enjoy yourself before you have to do lame adult-living-on-your-own stuff in college.
posted by ishotjr at 7:41 PM on April 20, 2010
posted by ishotjr at 7:41 PM on April 20, 2010
I did a sort of governor's school-type program, and although I applied and was supposed to be doing something computer related, I ended up instead building tiny airplanes. It wasn't really my interest, and I didn't really do anything with it after I finished the program, but I had a great time while I was there. It was an entirely different experience than any school lab--we were doing real work with a real research goal and not just labs for class grades. Even if you're not interested in science in general, science does tend to get a whole pile more interesting when you can see a purpose to it, and you're not just turning chemicals a and b into chemical c because it happens that way.
The publishing industry is certainly changing pretty significantly, but one of the things I believe that we'll have a continuing and perhaps increasing need for is good technical writing. There are a lot of brilliant scientists and programmers, but they aren't always the best at expressing themselves, and that is where someone who is versed in both English and technical fields can be a real boon. Sure it's not literature, but I find a fun challenge in turning the technical mumbo-jumbo into something that even the most technologically disinclined person can understand.
posted by that girl at 8:01 PM on April 20, 2010
The publishing industry is certainly changing pretty significantly, but one of the things I believe that we'll have a continuing and perhaps increasing need for is good technical writing. There are a lot of brilliant scientists and programmers, but they aren't always the best at expressing themselves, and that is where someone who is versed in both English and technical fields can be a real boon. Sure it's not literature, but I find a fun challenge in turning the technical mumbo-jumbo into something that even the most technologically disinclined person can understand.
posted by that girl at 8:01 PM on April 20, 2010
i have no opinion on your choices, but my best advice for this summer would be to read A LOT. you only have two summers left before college, and once you're there, you might have a lot less time for pleasure reading. best to really challenge yourself now. choose difficult literature-- not beach reads-- and read every day for several hours.
posted by acidic at 8:14 PM on April 20, 2010
posted by acidic at 8:14 PM on April 20, 2010
6 weeks of experience is enough to get a flavor for a research environment and leave time for pursuing volunteer opportunities - or just kicking back and enjoying 17. I encourage you to take it not because you are determined to pursue science or to pad a college resume but because it sounds like an interesting life experience without too great a time cost.
posted by mozhet at 8:16 PM on April 20, 2010
posted by mozhet at 8:16 PM on April 20, 2010
Don't do something you know you're not interested in. Now is the time to go for what you really want. Believe in yourself and just make it happen. Sorry to be a motivational slogan here, but it's true.
Publishing? Great. Publish something this summer. Figure out what you want to publish (say, an edited compilation of near-future fiction written by high school students about what they think will happen over their lifetime). Either pitch it to publishing companies or find a "faculty adviser" and a "business advisor," distribute a call for submissions, make a printing budget and a marketing plan, find investors or printing capital, etc. I really don't know how to do this, but you want to do it for a living, so figure out how to figure it out. The project might stretch into next semester, which is fine. Your parents are paying your rent and food costs I'm assuming, which is a super-sweet deal, so there's not really any better time in your life to teach yourself how to do what you most want to do.
Screw all the "take the biochem thing, it's prestigious" superficiality and "what if nothing else works out?" fearmongering. Even if you buy into the goal of looking good on paper and trying to accomplish accomplishments, go for what you want because it makes you more competitive for the stuff you really want to do. But better yet, set aside the goal of impressing other people, and do something you're interested in because it lets you figure out who you are and what you really want and it avoids wasting your life on stuff you already know you don't like. Just do what you want to do. But do really do it, rather than hesitating to commit.
It took me until age 30 to un-learn the "do what's prestigious" mindset and realize that people live and make money in all different ways. One of the coolest guys I've met retired at (like) age 39 after starting an incredibly successful landscaping business. He retired and helped start this eco-commune where he was living and earning money by holding trainings in ecovillage stuff. He seemed incredibly happy when I knew him. How'd he make that happen? Maybe he liked mowing lawns in high school, and he just really went with it. The habit of doing what other people tell you you should do is not a good one to get into, because it's like trying to read the tea leaves or discern divine will. Witness all the people who took the "safe" path getting laid off.* Witness all the AskMe questions from people who dislike their job and are trying to manage a career transition while supporting a family.* I'm sure nobody told the ecovillage guy, "hey, what you should do is mow lawns. That way, you can live a totally debt-free life, be surrounded by dedicated and creative people, retire early, work part-time on your own schedule, teach others about something you really believe in, and be respected as a community leader." Really, no one knows. But the best guidepost is to really believe what you hear yourself saying about what you'd like to do, and then work hard to make it happen.
(Sorry for the novel here.)
* I'm not blaming these people for their current challenges. I'm just saying that nothing is truly safe, and that when it really comes down to it, people will give up secure positions to find something truly satisfying, so finding that should be the priority, then figure out how to make a living in it.
posted by salvia at 8:22 PM on April 20, 2010
Publishing? Great. Publish something this summer. Figure out what you want to publish (say, an edited compilation of near-future fiction written by high school students about what they think will happen over their lifetime). Either pitch it to publishing companies or find a "faculty adviser" and a "business advisor," distribute a call for submissions, make a printing budget and a marketing plan, find investors or printing capital, etc. I really don't know how to do this, but you want to do it for a living, so figure out how to figure it out. The project might stretch into next semester, which is fine. Your parents are paying your rent and food costs I'm assuming, which is a super-sweet deal, so there's not really any better time in your life to teach yourself how to do what you most want to do.
Screw all the "take the biochem thing, it's prestigious" superficiality and "what if nothing else works out?" fearmongering. Even if you buy into the goal of looking good on paper and trying to accomplish accomplishments, go for what you want because it makes you more competitive for the stuff you really want to do. But better yet, set aside the goal of impressing other people, and do something you're interested in because it lets you figure out who you are and what you really want and it avoids wasting your life on stuff you already know you don't like. Just do what you want to do. But do really do it, rather than hesitating to commit.
It took me until age 30 to un-learn the "do what's prestigious" mindset and realize that people live and make money in all different ways. One of the coolest guys I've met retired at (like) age 39 after starting an incredibly successful landscaping business. He retired and helped start this eco-commune where he was living and earning money by holding trainings in ecovillage stuff. He seemed incredibly happy when I knew him. How'd he make that happen? Maybe he liked mowing lawns in high school, and he just really went with it. The habit of doing what other people tell you you should do is not a good one to get into, because it's like trying to read the tea leaves or discern divine will. Witness all the people who took the "safe" path getting laid off.* Witness all the AskMe questions from people who dislike their job and are trying to manage a career transition while supporting a family.* I'm sure nobody told the ecovillage guy, "hey, what you should do is mow lawns. That way, you can live a totally debt-free life, be surrounded by dedicated and creative people, retire early, work part-time on your own schedule, teach others about something you really believe in, and be respected as a community leader." Really, no one knows. But the best guidepost is to really believe what you hear yourself saying about what you'd like to do, and then work hard to make it happen.
(Sorry for the novel here.)
* I'm not blaming these people for their current challenges. I'm just saying that nothing is truly safe, and that when it really comes down to it, people will give up secure positions to find something truly satisfying, so finding that should be the priority, then figure out how to make a living in it.
posted by salvia at 8:22 PM on April 20, 2010
Also, I worked in a lab. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it, and if I'd spent the time doing something that was closer to what I actually wanted to do, that experience would probably be benefiting me more now than those endless hours spent listening to my Walkman. I'd give up that "well-roundedness" for more applicable experience.
posted by salvia at 8:25 PM on April 20, 2010
posted by salvia at 8:25 PM on April 20, 2010
Well, I'm more of a science person, and building lab bench skills early makes you really appealing and it's something not a lot of other people can do when they start college.
From a purely self-interested perspective, since you want to go into publishing, or something related, that means you're going to need a very prestigious academic pedigree in order to get the early internships in college that you need to get you a job in the industry when you graduate. The best way to have that is to get some very prestigious summer opportunities on your resume like, say, the Governor's School program. Also, I don't know what it's like in SC, but in NJ, only 1 or 2 people from each high school are even considered for admittance to a governor's school program, so it would be a shame to let this opportunity pass you by.
And besides, 6 weeks? That leaves you with 4-6 weeks in the rest of your summer to do all the other volunteering and writing stuff you mentioned.
It took me until age 30 to un-learn the "do what's prestigious" mindset and realize that people live and make money in all different ways.
Totally fair and excellent point that many of us which we understood when we were younger. However, keep in mind that publishing itself is a prestigious, competitive (though poorly compensated) field. To a degree, he's already signing up for a future in which "do what's prestigious" matters, and he has to work from there.
posted by deanc at 8:59 PM on April 20, 2010
From a purely self-interested perspective, since you want to go into publishing, or something related, that means you're going to need a very prestigious academic pedigree in order to get the early internships in college that you need to get you a job in the industry when you graduate. The best way to have that is to get some very prestigious summer opportunities on your resume like, say, the Governor's School program. Also, I don't know what it's like in SC, but in NJ, only 1 or 2 people from each high school are even considered for admittance to a governor's school program, so it would be a shame to let this opportunity pass you by.
And besides, 6 weeks? That leaves you with 4-6 weeks in the rest of your summer to do all the other volunteering and writing stuff you mentioned.
It took me until age 30 to un-learn the "do what's prestigious" mindset and realize that people live and make money in all different ways.
Totally fair and excellent point that many of us which we understood when we were younger. However, keep in mind that publishing itself is a prestigious, competitive (though poorly compensated) field. To a degree, he's already signing up for a future in which "do what's prestigious" matters, and he has to work from there.
posted by deanc at 8:59 PM on April 20, 2010
Do it! At your age it's not "inconsistent," it shows "depth."
Internships are a great way to figure out what you want to do - and maybe more importantly what you *don't* want to do. Two non-profit internships made it clear to me that non-profits are a right fit for me. One at an independent record label made it abundantly clear that it was not the right industry at all for me!
posted by radioamy at 9:14 PM on April 20, 2010
Internships are a great way to figure out what you want to do - and maybe more importantly what you *don't* want to do. Two non-profit internships made it clear to me that non-profits are a right fit for me. One at an independent record label made it abundantly clear that it was not the right industry at all for me!
posted by radioamy at 9:14 PM on April 20, 2010
When you say you don't have a strong interest in science, how much science have you been exposed to? Working in a biochemistry lab is really different from memorizing plant parts or whatnot, and many (most?) high schools can't really provide much of a lab-like experience. I thought for years that I'd be an English major too... until I got into a summer program where I did bio research, and really enjoyed it. In other words, if you have good reason to think you dislike and are bored by science, don't do it. But if you've been interested in some scientific ideas (like evolution, DNA, etc.) but really didn't like your classes, consider doing the internship. Do it because far from being a sign of inconsistency, it's a unique experience that few people get - particularly future English majors - and having a little understanding of science and scientists can end up being useful to you in unexpected ways. Do it because high school classes aren't necessarily much like real science at all. Don't do it primarily for the prestige or because your friends or family want you to, or because you think it's a "safe" job (it isn't.)
If you do have some interest, it's only a 6-week program - meaning it's long enough that you'd be able to see what scientific research is really like (and see whether you like it better than science classes), but short enough that it won't fill your summer up. You'd still be able to write essays and volunteer at the library and read lots of books and generally enjoy the summer.
(Also, I'd be shocked if they made it "just another office job" - programs like this are generally meant to be opportunities to experience research, and labs are chosen accordingly. Biochem labwork is hands-on. Very hands on. For me, in fact, it's a lot like art and music because it's creative, it involves doing delicate work with my hands, and there's a combination of thinking/planning and actually executing it. My pre-college summer research experiences involved working with radioactive stuff and trying to ID genes related to two nasty diseases via some nifty genetics tricks. I, er, think few office jobs require Geiger counters...)
posted by ubersturm at 9:21 PM on April 20, 2010
If you do have some interest, it's only a 6-week program - meaning it's long enough that you'd be able to see what scientific research is really like (and see whether you like it better than science classes), but short enough that it won't fill your summer up. You'd still be able to write essays and volunteer at the library and read lots of books and generally enjoy the summer.
(Also, I'd be shocked if they made it "just another office job" - programs like this are generally meant to be opportunities to experience research, and labs are chosen accordingly. Biochem labwork is hands-on. Very hands on. For me, in fact, it's a lot like art and music because it's creative, it involves doing delicate work with my hands, and there's a combination of thinking/planning and actually executing it. My pre-college summer research experiences involved working with radioactive stuff and trying to ID genes related to two nasty diseases via some nifty genetics tricks. I, er, think few office jobs require Geiger counters...)
posted by ubersturm at 9:21 PM on April 20, 2010
I say take the research opportunity. You're a junior in high school now and you have an interest in pursuing English in college, which is just fine. But you might not be totally sure. You indicate that you haven't had much interest in science up until this point, but that could change with your experiences. You might go work in a lab for 6 weeks and love it. You're very young and open to different experiences, which is a good thing. The internship will look good on college applications, and it could open you up to a new interest that you never knew you had. At worst, you could find that you really don't like lab work, but at least you'll know.
If you're interested in anecdata, I will give you a little. When I was in high school I was certain that I had no interest in math and science. I started college with an art major. It wasn't until after I explored a bit more that I realized that I wanted to major in Chemistry (a major I chose during my senior year of college). You just never know until you give it a shot, and you're so early in your academic career that it'll really benefit you to be open to different things.
posted by lexicakes at 10:31 PM on April 20, 2010
If you're interested in anecdata, I will give you a little. When I was in high school I was certain that I had no interest in math and science. I started college with an art major. It wasn't until after I explored a bit more that I realized that I wanted to major in Chemistry (a major I chose during my senior year of college). You just never know until you give it a shot, and you're so early in your academic career that it'll really benefit you to be open to different things.
posted by lexicakes at 10:31 PM on April 20, 2010
I think the internship would be a complete waste of time. It's not in a subject you are interested in, which is like putting your previous experience at Burger King on a resume when you're applying for a programming job: they are completely unrelated. It's going to be transparently obvious to anyone looking at your CV that you only took the internship because you thought it might help you get into college. That is, frankly, not laudable. Yes, it shows you're a "hard worker" but it also shows that you would sacrifice your own integrity to do something you hate, that you don't have to do, just to impress someone else. That doesn't reflect well on you. It makes you look like a meek supplicant.
Meanwhile, someone who is actually interested in the sciences is getting robbed a great summer opportunity.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:26 AM on April 21, 2010
Meanwhile, someone who is actually interested in the sciences is getting robbed a great summer opportunity.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:26 AM on April 21, 2010
Keep in mind, there are lots of different kinds of publishing. If you are at all interested in academic or STM (scientific, technical, medical) publishing, you may find that biochem experience is helpful to your future career. Although it's true that the industry as a whole is contracting, in general, STM publishers are doing much better than others.
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:30 AM on April 21, 2010
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:30 AM on April 21, 2010
I'm surprised not so many people have mentioned how important having diverse and varied experience can be if you plan to go into anything related to writing.
Technical writing? I hope you have a clue what your're doing. Have you read science reporting in newspapers? We NEED English majors to see science labs and classes. Want to edit something that pays better (like textbooks or journals)? Get some exposure to it, then flog it when you need a place to work later.
It's only six weeks, it's a chance to get into a new field and then say "oh yeah back when I worked at this lab..."
(That and what was mentioned above about colleges wanting well-rounded kids attached to prestigious programs like guv's school).
posted by whatzit at 11:27 AM on April 21, 2010
Technical writing? I hope you have a clue what your're doing. Have you read science reporting in newspapers? We NEED English majors to see science labs and classes. Want to edit something that pays better (like textbooks or journals)? Get some exposure to it, then flog it when you need a place to work later.
It's only six weeks, it's a chance to get into a new field and then say "oh yeah back when I worked at this lab..."
(That and what was mentioned above about colleges wanting well-rounded kids attached to prestigious programs like guv's school).
posted by whatzit at 11:27 AM on April 21, 2010
it shows you're a "hard worker" but it also shows that you would sacrifice your own integrity to do something you hate, that you don't have to do, just to impress someone else.
Well, how do you think people get into the publishing industry in the first place? You do it by taking unpaid internships doing mindless scut work that "gets your foot in the door" to prove that you're a "hard worker" and are willing to sacrifice in order to get what you want. Besides, it's only 6 weeks.
colleges wanting well-rounded kids attached to prestigious programs like guv's school
In fairness, selective colleges don't want "well rounded" students: they want highly specialized, obsessed students. Ideally for astlin's admission chances, she would be participating in a Gov School program that had something more focused on English/literture specifically. However, in the absence of that, the opportunity she has in front of her is a very good one. If anything, getting exposure to very hard-to-come-by experiences is good in and of itself.
posted by deanc at 11:34 AM on April 21, 2010
Well, how do you think people get into the publishing industry in the first place? You do it by taking unpaid internships doing mindless scut work that "gets your foot in the door" to prove that you're a "hard worker" and are willing to sacrifice in order to get what you want. Besides, it's only 6 weeks.
colleges wanting well-rounded kids attached to prestigious programs like guv's school
In fairness, selective colleges don't want "well rounded" students: they want highly specialized, obsessed students. Ideally for astlin's admission chances, she would be participating in a Gov School program that had something more focused on English/literture specifically. However, in the absence of that, the opportunity she has in front of her is a very good one. If anything, getting exposure to very hard-to-come-by experiences is good in and of itself.
posted by deanc at 11:34 AM on April 21, 2010
Thanks so much for the input, guys. After lots of thought about this, I decided to turn down the internship. I still don't know whether I am giving up an incredible opportunity or whether I would've enjoyed it - but I do know that I'd be going in extrinsically motivated, seeking to look better on college apps. And what Civil_Disobedient said really struck a chord with me. I've got a friend who really wants to be an engineer when he grows up, and he got waitlisted for this program. I dunno whether he'll get my spot or not, but I do know that whoever it is, they'll be similar in aspirations to him and I'd feel terrible about taking the spot from them.
That said, I have taken to heart all of the anecdata about suddenly changing passions later in life, or needing experience and insight in many different fields to be able to better communicate - and I'll walk into college with a more open mind because of that. Thanks.
posted by estlin at 6:59 AM on May 4, 2010
That said, I have taken to heart all of the anecdata about suddenly changing passions later in life, or needing experience and insight in many different fields to be able to better communicate - and I'll walk into college with a more open mind because of that. Thanks.
posted by estlin at 6:59 AM on May 4, 2010
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Given that you are a junior in high school you will be looking for jobs in about five years' time. The publishing industry will be smaller five years hence than it is now, and it has been contracting for a long time.
That said, I think you should have a structured summer, especially if you're applying to selective colleges. Why not take the research position and just consider it another item on your resume? There's no rule that says you have to know what you want to do for the next forty years when you're 16.
posted by dfriedman at 6:06 PM on April 20, 2010