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Compare two internship offers with the math shown

  • For College students
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You have two summer internship offers and must answer by Friday. Your top priority is money left at the end of summer, then mentoring. Get exactly 4 numbered lines, under 110 words, plain text: line 1 shows Offer A's pay minus costs, line 2 shows Offer B's, line 3 compares mentoring, and line 4 starts "Pick:" with one offer and the reason. Use the latest pay in the recruiter emails.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not stating your priority. Without your priority, the AI lists pros and cons and ends with 'it depends on your goals'. Try: Add: "Money left at the end matters most, then mentoring. Pick one."
  • Missing the raise. The AI may use $18/hour from the offer line and skip the recruiter's later email. Try: Add: "Use $19/hour for Offer B, from the Tuesday email."
  • Hiding the math. The AI states totals without the steps, so you can't spot a missed cost like rent. Try: Show it: "1. Offer A: $22 x 400 = $8,800 - $3,000 rent = $5,800"
  • Getting a long comparison. AI comparisons come as tables and paragraphs, not 4 lines you can decide from. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 4 numbered lines, each under 25 words."
  • Forgetting where it's going. AI adds bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in a text to your parents. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • States your priority
  • Uses the latest pay
  • Asks to show the math
  • Says how many lines
  • Sets a length limit

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