KatieLikesCoffee's journey

I recently accepted a remote job offer at a company that I’m really excited about, and I’m set to start next week. The pay is good, and I believe it will help advance my career. However, I just received an email about a summer internship at my dream company, which I applied to months ago. They want to interview me next week. This internship is hybrid, but the site is about an hour and a half away. The pay range is uncertain, so I might earn more or less than my new job. What makes this situation tricky is that the new company is currently undergoing restructuring, which raises concerns about whether it will be a good fit for me. My role there is training-based, and I was hired with the understanding that I would advance as they see me ready. This complicates the idea of asking for a leave of absence if I were to take the internship, as I would miss out on valuable learning opportunities. Plus, the internship doesn’t guarantee future employment. I’m torn about whether to go through with the interview for the internship. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, but I feel like I owe it to myself to explore this opportunity, especially since it aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals. I’m also concerned about how this might reflect on me if I decide to apply to the dream company again in the future, especially since I got in through a referral from the head of the department. I’m reaching out for advice on what to do next. Should I go ahead with the interview, or should I decline? If I get the internship, should I take a leave of absence from my new job? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!