Need the help and advice from some of the most responsible people I know.

[C3HIEF3S]

Hello CP, I come before you to seek a solution of a dilemma that I am currently in regarding a work situation.

As many of you know and as you can probably tell, I attend KU. There, I do some marketing intern work with their AD as I did with my past school Eastern Illinois University. Working in sports, as I have read, is something that you need to break into at base level and then climb the mountain from there. I enjoy the work, and in December made a connection with a woman who works for a certain professional sports team within the area who was helping with some work for KU. Let's just say working for this sports organization would be a dream job for me, and also one that I would say would be a huge accomplishment for myself.

I made conversation with this particular woman for a good while during one of the KU MBB games and by the end of the work day she told me about an open marketing intern position for the upcoming season with this sports team and took my name down. I went home that night, updated my resume, and had the application sent in by the end of the night.

Fast forward to yesterday, about a month later, I received an email from another lady within this certain sports organization asking to come in for an in-person interview. So I think to myself, holy ****ing shit..

(credit to Chiefspants for the gif idea)

The only problem is that the interview timeslots that I am supposed to choose from are on January 10th and 11th. But with my luck right now, I am at home in Illinois for winter break for another week and a half. Not scheduled to fly back to KC until Saturday, the 14th.

I began to type out an email asking to reschedule for a time after the 14th. Then I became conflicted in that this is an application for an internship, which has no obligation over quite literally anything in the grand scheme of things. Which also, this sports organization runs on their own time and not to that of any colleges or follow the guidelines of any winter breaks. Therefore, wouldn't it be my responsibility to be present on their dates? I am sure there are many applicants, or I would think so, so I believe it would be just as easy for them to cross my name off of a list and turn to an applicant that will be in the area on the date.

So do I ask to possibly reschedule? Do you guys think that they would understand that most of the people working in this position are around college-age which means they may be away? Or do you believe that I should not bother emailing and just reschedule my flight on short notice (on extra cost)?

All advice is welcome,

C3

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

You can't go wrong getting your ass to the interview when they want you there.
However, they are hiring college students for an internship. They should ****ing know that college students are often out of town during winter break, even though some might be within driving distance.
Seems like kind of a dick move by them to not consider (or not care) about this kind of stuff.

This is a massive organization.

I wouldn't be surprised if they expected applicants to work with their timeline as a way to "cull the herd".

[DaneMcCloud]

If you're a "big deal", inform them of the situation. They'll most likely accommodate your travel.

If this is your only shot and you're not that desirable, take a dog sled if necessary.

Just a little insight: No job is the "perfect" job. No job is as it seems, especially an internship.

If you land the gig, always keep a smile on your face, even though secretly, you hope everyone around you dies in fire while being engulfed by a sinkhole.

Good luck!

[Miles]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

This is a massive organization.

I wouldn't be surprised if they expected applicants to work with their timeline as a way to "cull the herd".

Or they just guessed like I would that the 11th is safely late enough everyone would be back by then.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If you're a "big deal", inform them of the situation. They'll most likely accommodate your travel.

If this is your only shot and you're not that desirable, take a dog sled if necessary.

Just a little insight: No job is the "perfect" job. No job is as it seems, especially an internship.

If you land the gig, always keep a smile on your face, even though secretly, you hope everyone around you dies in fire while being engulfed by a sinkhole.

Good luck!

Good advice. Also one many seem to forget when interviewing for an internship is to do the legwork to check the internet for info about the company and department/group intervening with.

[Iowanian]

I know when hiring I look for people who are willing to accommodate our schedule, demonstrate that they are serious. It might require driving a couple of hours, or skipping that spin class you like so much.


If you want it, if it's an opportunity you need to sacrifice now to get what you want later. You're making a good choice.

[Saccopoo]

Internships suck.

There is always jobs out there.

You can never get back quality time spent with family.

You can always get a job somewhere.

You know why they call it "work?" Because they have to pay you to do it.

[Iowanian]

Also, if you are taking advice....

When the interview team asks you "do you have any questions for us". I would avoid asking them any of our dear friend sacca's latest hits.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Miles

Or they just guessed like I would that the 11th is safely late enough everyone would be back by then.

They don't need to guess. There are scheduled dates when classes are in session.
They're hiring college interns. Not scheduling local interviews when students at the area's major university likely aren't on campus just seems like common sense.

They can do whatever they want, obviously, but they are also screwing out-of-town candidates who are flying back to school. Now, he's basically forced to eat the ticket he already paid for (hopefully he's on Southwest) and buy a one-way ticket a few days before flying. That's generally not cheap.
This is for an unpaid internship, not upper-level management.
It's just a shitty way to do things.

[UK_Chief]

PIIHB

[Miles]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

They don't need to guess. There are scheduled dates when classes are in session.
They're hiring college interns. Not scheduling local interviews when students at the area's major university likely aren't on campus just seems like common sense.

They can do whatever they want, obviously, but they are also screwing out-of-town candidates who are flying back to school. Now, he's basically forced to eat the ticket he already paid for (hopefully he's on Southwest) and buy a one-way ticket a few days before flying. That's generally not cheap.
This is for an unpaid internship, not upper-level management.
It's just a shitty way to do things.

It's after everyone is back at work plus over a week so can see how anyone would be oblivious on the scheduling. Nobody in business is thinking about how it might be early for a college student who's school didn't start back the 9th.

Where did he say unpaid?

[ChiliConCarnage]

Good call, C3. I hope you get the gig!

[BlackHelicopters]

Show up when asked.

[C3HIEF3S]

As obvious of a decision as it turned out to be, I am beyond thankful for the advice given to me in this thread. Tuesday night I flew into Kansas City and then got a ride back to Lawrence for the night. Wednesday morning I drove to Kauffman Stadium for an interview that was held in a conference room directly facing Arrowhead, and about 10 minutes ago I got a call that I had been offered the position that I applied for. The position will be helping with on-field pre-game ceremonies, promotions (example: hot dog race), and with events such as Fan Fest. One of my biggest professional goals was to be employed by the Royals at some point in my life, and although this is a small, small role in what goes on with day-to-day operations, it's a big stepping stone for me and I am absolutely thrilled.

My goal for this summer, outside of just work, is to meet at least 15-20 Planeteers throughout the season. If you want to say hello, I would be delighted to have a face-to-face conversation with you and put some real faces to avatars around here. Or, you can tell me to die in a Antifreeze-fueled AIDS tree fire, that's absolutely fine too! So once again, thanks to everyone for the replies!

[ptlyon]

Good job man! Congrats!

[Dartgod]

Congrats, man. That's awesome.