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Internship offer, take it or chuck it? - Hex 38.1>64

yibee

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Hi,

I am a business student graduating in the next 4 months. I have a project/internship to complete leading to my degree.

Ive received an internship offer which is travel and expenses only paid for 20 hours per week and for 3 months.

The unpaid aspect is a downer especially as I have 7 years of work experience including supervisory role with an American multinational prior to going back to Business school.

However, I am in a foreign country and the office is in a central business district, a start-up and may 'may' being the operative word turn out to be a learning experience and I'll get references too.

I have opposing views from my own self and from close ones who say I am selling myself short with a 3 month commitment, no pay (travel & expenses only) .

I asked Yi

Will this internship offer be beneficial to me for the effort & commitment I put in -
Hexagram 38.1>64

I read some threads on this changing line but am unclear whether the troubles in line 1 will give way to anything worthwhile. Should I take this offer or chuck it?

Any interpretations?

S
 

rosada

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38.1 You are told not to chase after something you want and also not to let others force things you don't want upon you. So on the one hand you may be being cautioned that it's not profitable to be chasing after well paying jobs just now but at the same time you shouldn't let someone take advantage of you just because you are feeling pressured to take something. So what to do?

64. Advises that at the moment "Before Completion" it is easy to make mistakes. Does this refer to you're almost completing your courses and therefore a caution that at this time you should be very wary that after all your hard work you don't waste your efforts taking the wrong job? Or could it be that it is describing this new position and how your role would be like that of the old fox who can use your past experience to help this new company get up and running? Or maybe it means the negotiating isn't complete yet. Have you considered asking for a salary or a bonus at the end based on your performance?

This is the problem with Yes or No questions, the I Ching doesn't give yes or no answers.
If I got this reading I would probably interpret it to mean I had not yet seen all the possible opportunities - Before Completion - and therefore not to take this offer that seems less than what I'm after. However, since it sounds like the money wouldn't be an issue if this position were to lead to good contacts, I think you might get clearer guidance if you ask something like, "What Is the benefit of taking this job?"

I hope you'll let us know your decision!
Rosada
 
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yibee

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Thanks Rosada! I read your post several times and am just amazed how well you've captured the bundle of contradictions relating to this situation. You've articulated and captured them in a way that I simply couldn't!

I was an Associate Manager working with big names and clients in the IT field for 7 years before going back to school. While I attained success in relative terms, satisfaction seemed elusive. As you climb up the ladder, its tough especially on women to climb higher with corporate politics galore. I also felt like exploring newer horizons in business and entrepreneurship so decided to go back to school.

I am in a foreign country and have visa restrictions on full time employment. So the internship is ideal with 4 hours per day. Money is not a restriction at the moment. This internship will enable me to write my dissertation to earn my final degree. The vibe is a bit of a culture shock for me as in its a start-up and I come from a corporate background, but there is a lot of potential to learn about Marketing, New Business Development, Strategic management (very different from my IT background) and make inroads should I change my immigration status to work permit after graduation and decide to explore a career here.

I did encounter the caution aspect as in the employer seemed too impressed with my project management background, called me to interview within an hour of submitting my application and offered me the work in a jiffy, which raised alarm bells! I made sure I set the expectations of 20 hours per week cause I don't want to be overworked!


However, the question is can I wake up every morning, get dressed, take the tube and make it to office 5 days a week for 3 months without any pay? Ive been told I can work from home and the arrangement is flexible. But will I be motivated? And moreover will I have the drive and discipline to last for 3 months with no pay? That's something I am trying to deal with internally.

I followed your advice and asked Yi again What is the benefit of taking this job?
And got hexagram 11.2.4.5>49
Seems to tell me to hang in there.

But I will know on Tuesday my first day at work whether I will stick on or back off because once commited in good faith, I cannot back off.

Its not going to be an easy decision!!


Many thanks
S
 

rosada

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The lines in 11.2.4 seems to emphasize being at Peace with the finances and not worrying about what others are or are not being paid. 11.5 suggests making a good connection.
49 - with it's comment that the superior man organizes the calendar and makes the season's clear and that on your own day you are believed - suggests to me that you were smart to emphasize what your time commitment and schedule is and also that at the end of the three months you will have something to show for your efforts.
Best of luck!
Rosada
 
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rodaki

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agreeing with what Rosada has said already . . in 38.1 there's mention of keeping away from the 'evil' people, where the Chinese ideogram for 'evil' literally means crossed or secondary or malformed heart* . . for me that has often meant that I should keep away from all the negative voices, the doubting, or second-guessing ones . . It could of course mean to keep an eye out on things like working hours or others in your working environment but to me it mostly comes down to protecting yourself from negativity -inner, outer or both . . You probably feel like there's something important gone astray with the job (the horse is missing, there's no paycheck coming up soon) but the placement can be important in other ways in the long run.

In your first post you mentioned that


I have opposing views from my own self and from close ones who say I am selling myself short with a 3 month commitment, no pay (travel & expenses only).

. . which could be the 'evil people' mentioned in the line

Despite that though, it sounds like a worthwhile deal and the 11/49 reading supports the idea . . If I were you I would hold on to the job despite the dry spell or the negative thoughts that may come up . .


(*there was a discussion about this recently in Exploring, for more: http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/friends/showthread.php?t=12993&page=3)
 
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yibee

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An update. I sent an email to the employer earlier. I sent him some market information which he had mentioned during interview. There is no question about my motivation as I researched about his business, similar services, competitors, pricing and so on.

Then because I was conflicted, I asked if he would consider paying me minimum wages or if it was okay to cut the duration of internship from 3 to 2 months as these are summer months and although I am not hard pressed for money right now, I still need to make some money with my free summer time! I explained minimum wages or some sort of incentive as a sustaining factor so I dont falter in my commitment and let him and myself down.

I was extremely polite and said I will await his decision if he is open to some sort of discussion on minimum wage or incentive and if he still wants me to report to work on Tuesday.

But Ive received no email. Not even a courtesy reply - No its not workable or something like that.

I doubt I wouldve lasted for 3 months with such one sided equation.

I was browsing jobs and even Dog walkers and house sitters get paid minimum wages per hour and seems a lot more fun!

To me, a job without money is like a marriage without sex! Well its possible to have that kind of relationship depending on your emotional make up. Right now I just felt underrated. So looks like I wont have to report to internship tomorrow.

I can always change my mind (soon) and go back and agree to work without pay, but dont feel upto it. I am happy to continue with my job search as it gives me hope.

Out of curiousity and because the whole episode seems to have ended so abruptly and I am a bit hurt that my email didn't even garner a response (because despite the conflict in my head I thought I vibed well with the employer and vice-versa during the interview), I asked Yi

Is this opportunity closed, any chance the employer will reply (bad line of questioning I know)
and got hexagram 11.1.2.4.5>31


Not sure what's in store. But strangely I am at PEACE with myself now.
 
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