Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc

[frgoe]

I am studying chemical engineering in my masters and am currently on the hunt for an internship next semester. I am located in Switzerland/Germany and right now have offers from two big chemical companies (BASF, Bayer).

Here is the thing. The one that interests me the most, is in a horrible location. I would have to relocate (that's OK with me), but there is also nothing, no bigger city or so, in a 100 km radius. However, the topic really resonates with my current interests. It's about utilizing black box ML to optimize plant performance. Since I have been exploring CS/programming a lot lately, this would potentially be a great fit. The other one is in a better location (would still have to relocate), but the topic sounds a bit off (no real connection to ChemE).

Both internships would be for 3–4 months. How would you approach this situation? I am not really hyped to spend the entire summer at some remote plant just working my ass off. Would you take one of the offers, or wait until something else might come around? Any other tips/insights?

[tsewlliw]

Make friends. With friends you can make fun anywhere.

[frgoe]

So you would take the opportunity?

[tsewlliw]

Would I as a 40 year old middle manager in Texas take a shot at living in rural central Europe for 4 months to work on ML for factory automation? Might feel lonely because I probably wouldn't move my family with me and take my kid out of school, but yes, that sounds like fun, like a great chapter in a life well lived.

[yuppie_scum]

Suck it up for 3-4 months buttercup

[pettycashstash2]

One word. Priorities.

[frgoe]

Agreed. Would be a great opportunity career wise (and for the CV I guess) and also in terms of potential learnings. Would you trade that for three months in 'solitude' at this age (early twenties)?