New grad- IT project manager?
So I have one more semester left in my Master's degree for CS. I want to try and become an IT project manager at some point. I know PM is not an entry-level role, but I want to be able to fast-track my way there.
The Situation
I currently have a summer internship (IT Project Manager Intern) at a retail company based in the DMV area. If they offer me a return offer, it would be as a part-time Project Administrator at $20/hour during school, which translates to a starting full-time salary of about $55k.
I know the pay will be very low, but I’m more about the experience and learning as much as I can in the beginning years. (Is $55k starting low?)
The Pros of Staying
The Culture: Everyone is very nice and I love the culture.
The Work: I am actually given important tasks as an intern. I help the team hit their bonus goals and also lead some heavy AI initiative projects, which I believe no other interns are doing.
Leadership Visibility: I get to speak directly with leadership and I think they all like me. Not to be egotistical, but I try to be nice and pleasant—just being a good person, really.
The Commute: I am only like 10-15 minutes from the office.
My Dilemma
Should I try and stay with this company and grow my knowledge, or look elsewhere?
My only concern is that the job market may be rough right now. Since I already have my foot in the door at this company, I feel like I should definitely just try to make this work.
I used AI to help format
Edit:
-Not DMV, it is Tri-State Area