Doing Internships

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I have a question. Should I pursue a summer (2016) internship with the Federal government? I already work for a state government and intend on working for the federal government at some point after I have a little more experience in case management/investigations. The agency I would intern with is the one I want to work for in the future. I guess my question is would an internship (in this situation) be worth it?

Let me add that I am in a applied field of work, so that may be given consideration.

Edited December 12, 2015 by xXIDaShizIXx
Clarification

[rising_star]

Doing a federal government internship could help you get the skills needed to get a job with that agency in the future so, I think it's a great idea. Is it a paid or unpaid internship? You might also consider whether doing a "virtual internship", which some agencies offer, is worthwhile.

[xXIDaShizIXx]

1 hour ago, rising_star said:

Doing a federal government internship could help you get the skills needed to get a job with that agency in the future so, I think it's a great idea. Is it a paid or unpaid internship? You might also consider whether doing a "virtual internship", which some agencies offer, is worthwhile.

Unfortunately it is an unpaid internship, however it can be renewed as long as I want it to, even after I graduate. So at least, I can continue to get experience that may make me look better for future employment.

[StyLeD]

I'm assuming the internship is either in New York or D.C., so the only concern is whether the experience is worth spending upwards of $3,000-$5,000 for a summer placement. If the internship is in the same department as your dream job, then go for it. If your school has a decent endowment, they will often have money set aside for unpaid internships in a relevant field. 

Edited December 13, 2015 by StyLeD

[xXIDaShizIXx]

5 minutes ago, StyLeD said:

I'm assuming the internship is either in New York or D.C., so the only concern is whether the experience is worth spending upwards of $3,000-$5,000 for a summer placement. If the internship is in the same department as your dream job, then go for it. If your school has a decent endowment, they will often have money set aside for unpaid internships in a relevant field. 

Actually it is not close to either of those locations, but sometimes I wish it was. I can do it as a non credit bearing course or credit bearing. The school does have a nice endowment with stipends and such set aside. Plus I am a student at a state university working for the state government so we get nice discounts and such for things like that.

Edited December 13, 2015 by xXIDaShizIXx

[StyLeD]

16 minutes ago, xXIDaShizIXx said:

Actually it is not close to either of those locations, but sometimes I wish it was. I can do it as a non credit bearing course or credit bearing. The school does have a nice endowment with stipends and such set aside. Plus I am a student at a state university working for the state government so we get nice discounts and such for things like that.

For $$$ reasons, it may be better that it isn't. Unless you have a comparable offer, then there is no reason to decline the internship. You're not really listing your choices; in a vacuum everybody will tell you that an internship is better than none. 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

1 hour ago, StyLeD said:

For $$$ reasons, it may be better that it isn't. Unless you have a comparable offer, then there is no reason to decline the internship. You're not really listing your choices; in a vacuum everybody will tell you that an internship is better than none. 

I guess I will be taking the internship then.