Brand Name PM Internship vs. Low-Pay SWE Startup: Which is the better "First Move"?
"Big Office" PM Internship vs. Tiny Startup SWE (12k/mo)? Which looks better on a CV for a 2nd year CS student?
Hey guys,
I’m a 2nd year CS student and I have two very different offers on the table. I’m trying to figure out which one sets me up for a better career trajectory in the long run.
- Option 1: Project Manager (PM) Internship at a well-known, decent-sized corporate office. It’s a "brand name" people recognize, and the salary is actually decent.
- Option 2: Software Engineering (SWE) Internship at a tiny startup. It’s pure technical work, but the pay is basically pocket change (12k/mo).
Everyone gives the classic advice: "You're a CS student, go technical first or you'll lose your edge." But I'm looking at that big company name on my resume and thinking it might open more doors later than a startup no one has heard of.
Is starting in management too early a "career killer" for a CS grad? Or is the "brand halo" of a big company worth more than grinding at a tiny startup where I might not even have a senior mentor to teach me the right way to code?
I’m torn between building "hard skills" and building a "strong resume." What would you do?