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Q. I'm a third-year college student who is somehow in the lucky position of being offered both internships I applied for.

I'm deciding between a larger, higher-quality paper that's unpaid and a smaller, less well-regarded paper that's paid and where I would probably be able to get more clips (I already freelance for this paper).

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I would rather work for the former, even though it's unpaid -- I'm applying for several grants, could work part time, and my parents offered to help a little. Several professional journalists I know told me it would be the best newsroom experience I could get in Chicago, and the smaller paper is more of a marketing internship than an editorial one -- not what I want to do, even though I have work experience in that area.

The bigger paper interviewed me long before the smaller paper did, and I had to decide within a week, so I confirmed with them. I know it would be extraordinarily unprofessional if I went back on my commitment to them, so I am planning to stick with it. Besides, it would be better for my career since its duties match what I want to do.

However, I already have a good working relationship with a smaller paper and don't want to jeopardize that. I like the editors a lot, and they publish my school paper. I would like to continue writing for them. How do I turn them down in a polite way that doesn't burn bridges or offend them?

Thanks,

Not a Bridge Burner

A. You have already made your decision. You settled it when you accepted the big paper's offer.

Even if you had not already made your choice, you have explained how the bigger place would be

Joe Grimm

better for your career. (I would, though, like to see them cough up some money for you. Having people work for free just isn't right, and it screens out people who have to earn money.)

Your central question is about politely declining this other publication, which you so obviously care very much about.

Graciously say, "I am so grateful for your faith in me. This means a lot. But I have already made another commitment for the summer and have to keep it. I hope there will still be ways for us to work together."

That's it. Don't mention anything about the other place being bigger, better or more in line with your career. That can only put the other publication on the defensive.

The book on internships: "Breaking In: The JobsPage.com Guide to Newspaper Internships"

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Coming Thursday: This financial journalist would love to switch to religion reporting and has been accepted to the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Now she wonders whether to forge ahead.

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