Internship decisions (???????)

I had two interviews for summer internships this week, with one more coming up – hopefully.

They both went well, at least I think they did.  I also feel that if I really wanted, I will get these positions.  I feel 80% sure that I will be offered both of these jobs.

But I can’t decide…

Some background…I currently work for big Pharma (that means I work in a major pharmaceutical company).  I even spent a year earning a certificate to learn more about the industry.  I’ve wanted to get into marketing for a while now.  I do want to have a career in marketing, but I know that I want to get out of pharma. 

The first internship is for a paid pharmaceutical marketing job.  I’ll be part of the marketing team of their biggest (read: blockbuster) drug working on projects and basically interacting with the team.  I don’t want a pharma career, but the marketing experience I gain here could be invaluable.  This is likely to be paid (I haven’t verified) and will be during regular business hours, 40 hours a week.  This will be working on the brand, which is what I want to get into – brand/product management.

The second is for a small boutique marketing company.  I’ll primarily be working on their brand manual, but can also join any number of projects for any clients that they might have.  This is unpaid, I make my own schedule, and could be either full-time or part-time.  Working on the brand manual would be nice, but is it really helpful, career-wise?

Money is nice, but isn’t the only factor.  I need to get the experience to help me start a new career.  If I get pharma marketing experience, will it be able to help me get other marketing jobs in the future?  Will it give my future resume more pull (power)?

But I don’t have a passion for pharma.  So I can’t decide if I should go for this one.

If I get the smaller marketing internship, will it really help my career?  The open schedule sounds appealing – I can take an extra class if I decide to go it part-time.  But the fact that it’s unpaid really gets to me.

So the big question is, should I go for the pharma internship or the small company?

As I keep writing this post – I feel like I should go with the Pharma company.  I should be able to work on any brand’s/product’s marketing, regardless of the industry.  So the real big question is:

Will Pharma marketing experience be beneficial in getting a (non-pharma) marketing career?

 Any advice or insight is welcomed and much appreciated.