Summer internship at a big company vs start up

[rlarlqja]

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Hello, I am in a pickle deciding what to choose.
I have received a summer internship position at the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, but the job seems a bit minimal..
I can also work at a start up, but deals with surgical robots/ implants.

Give me the benefit of the doubt that whatever I choose, I will work my ass off and get the most out of it, which do you guys recommend?

 

[puahate]

Damn wish i had your problem.

 

[jarednogeek]

Either choice will have little difference in your MD chances. I’d choose the start up for more autonomy

 

[rlarlqja]

Either choice will have little difference in your MD chances. I’d choose the start up for more autonomy

So the name value of the company does not affect much?

 

[jarednogeek]

So the name value of the company does not affect much?

I can’t see this having more impact than volunteering at a hospice or ER besides it being a cool unique conversation piece. Don’t expect it to be a big part of your app.

But it may have a big and cool impact on you, and that’s what matters.

 

[coramDeo]

Just to echo what others have said above, I don't think either choice will benefit you more than the other in the application process. I suggest you choose the opportunity that excites you more - if it ever gets brought up during the interview process, you'll be able to present it much better than something you chose for the applications. With that said, congrats on putting yourself in good position for awesome opportunities 🙂

 

[Rachapkis]

I would accept the opportunity that will allow you to do the type of work that fulfills you and will allow you to learn the most. I don't think that medical schools will be swayed by the name of the pharmaceutical company; rather, they will be swayed by the things you learned and your passion for what you did.

 

[deleted958249]

I would consider which position will allow you to do the type of work that fulfills you and allow you to learn the most.

Seconded. Coming from someone who is now on the other side of the application cycle, the name of where you interned at doesn't matter nearly as much as the impact it had on you. What's more important is your reflection: what you learned from the experience, what perspectives did you gain from the experience, how does the experience add to your career goals in medicine, etc...

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

So the name value of the company does not affect much?

No, and interning for business oriented companies in general won't really affect much either. It looks better than doing nothing, but do it for you, not because you think it will help your app.