Negotiate $16/hr ME internship with no prior experience?
Hey everyone,
I’m a rising senior in MechE and just got my first summer internship offer at a very small startup. The pay is $16/hr, which feels low for an engineering student a year away from graduating.
Context:
* No prior engineering experience, and this is my last summer before graduating.
* No other offers on the table.
* The opportunity came through a professional networking connection. The interview was just a casual conversation (no technical screening) where they basically said, "We can find a spot for you."
Because it was so informal and came through a connection, I’m worried they think they expect me to take whatever they offer. I understand that small startups have tight budgets and can't match big corporations, but $16/hr is tough to swallow in a major metro area.
Do I have any leverage to politely ask for $18/hr, maybe $19, or should I just take the low pay for the sake of the resume boost so I can land a better co-op/job later?
Thanks!