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Compare internship offers on total summer pay

Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You have 3 summer internship postings and want to compare total summer pay before applying. You want exactly 3 numbered lines, one per internship, each showing the math (like "$18 x 30 hours x 10 weeks = $5,400"), then a final line "Highest:". Use each posting's latest details and only the numbers given, plain text, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Comparing hourly rates. The AI ranks by $/hour, but hours and weeks change the total a lot. Try: Say: "Total summer pay: rate x hours x weeks, show the math."
  • Missing the update. Halvorsen's hours changed after posting, and the AI may use the original 25. Try: Add: "Use each posting's latest details."
  • Counting a friend's guess. The AI may stretch Halvorsen to 16 weeks because your notes mention it. Try: Say: "Use only numbers in the postings."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines, one per internship than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 3 numbered lines, one per internship."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in your notes app. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for total pay
  • Asks to show the math
  • Uses the latest details
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for plain text

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