As the semester comes to a close, many students have spent a lot of time searching for employment opportunities for the coming summer months.

A common question asked during the search  is whether or not to pursue an unpaid internship or a more menial but paying job in order to have some cash flow when the fall semester comes around.

So, is an internship worth it? There are clear benefits. An internship provides opportunities to meet people in a field of interest for employment post-graduation.  It also allows for networking on an advanced scale, building connections with people who may be able to assist in the job hunt down the road.

But does that make it fundamentally better than a paid job, working general labor or waiting tables? Perhaps not. When building a resumé any experience that can be accrued is worth mentioning, even if it seems menial or dull.

Valuable skills are garnered when working a shift, such as discipline or patience. In this way, a paid summer job can be just as valuable as a summer internship.

There are many pros and cons to both options, most of them rather straightforward. One brings experience in what could be a future career relating to one’s major. The other gives more flexibility financially once the school year comes around, helping to pay for books, groceries, and the like.

However, for many an unpaid internship is not a viable option because the extra income from a summer job is needed to pay for schooling.

In this way, there is a wealth gap when it comes to searching for a summer job, one that is perhaps rarely thought about.

Despite this stigma of a wealth gap, that does not mean that those who cannot afford to intern are denied valuable experience. The truth of the matter is that either option is entirely viable and brings a wealth of opportunities. It comes down to a personal preference, and what the job seeker feels most comfortable doing with their time.

At the same time, it is possible not to be limited to either option. While time consuming, it is feasible that someone could work a part-time job as well as a summer internship.

Finding a summer occupation is a tricky affair, no matter which path is taken. It is best not to be discouraged when denied applications at every twist and turn.

The best thing that can be done is to just keep searching in your area, and eventually something will come to you. Best of luck!