I can't clone myself so what should I do?

loro929

I need some advice. I have 2 Christmas parties on the same day and I need to decide asap which one to attend.

The backstory, I started an internship/part time job that complements my PhD work a few weeks ago. The company that I work for is basically a subdivision of a much larger company.  On Thursday, the heads of this subdivision (which is basically like a small company in itself) are giving a Christmas lunch for all of us in the group. On Friday, the larger company is hosting a Christmas lunch for the entire company (from 2-6 PM). Problem is that my department at the University is also hosting a Christmas lunch on Friday (1-?). 

I have to RSVP to the company Christmas party (on Friday - I am already definitely going to the one on Thursday as there are no conflicts) because its at a restaurant and we need to give meal options ahead of time - while the "lunch" of the Department is more of an informal gathering - no RSVP required.

The thing is that I feel like I *need* to go to the University party (basically to show face / I feel obligated / want people to still see me involved in the department but since I know I won't stay here too much longer after my PhD, the networking opportunities are small), while I feel that I would enjoy more meeting all of the people in company from the large company party (basically great networking opportunities / want people at the internship to get to know me and see me involved). 

Why can't we clone ourselves?

So, the question is what lunch would you attend?

ETA. grammar

littlemushroom

The company one all the way.

WhatawagSBNy

Are they so far apart you cannot go to the dept and not lunch (and NO ALCOHOL) a half hour then make apologies and go on to companywide lunch?

(Where you should not have more than one drink, no matter how much you are urged to. While you are networking, they are watching your conduct, including if you show at 2 having been drinking, and do you stop at 1 when in public on work time, though it is a party.)

loro929

WhatawagSBNy said:

Are they so far apart you cannot go to the dept and not lunch (and NO ALCOHOL) a half hour then make apologies and go on to companywide lunch? (Where you should not have more than one drink, no matter how much you are urged to. While you are networking, they are watching your conduct, including if you show at 2 having been drinking, and do you stop at 1 when in public on work time, though it is a party.)

They are not so far apart - in fact, the restaurant where the company lunch would be held would be less than 15 minutes travel time to arrive.

[Deleted User]

I'd see if you can fit in both like @WhatawagSBNy said, but if I had to choose one only, I'd do the company one.  Waaaaay better networking opportunities.

Sugargirl1019

I would choose the one that could benefit you in the future. The company party sounds like this is it, with networking and meeting other important people and showing you are involved = promotions. And it sounds like you'll have more fun at the company party too!

loro929

I definitely agree with all of you that said that the company party will have way more networking opportunities - especially because I am getting to a fork in the road where I have to make some serious career decisions.

Since the University lunch starts at 1 and the company lunch starts at 2. I just inquired to a colleague of mine whether or not it would be a problem if I came 15-20 minutes late to the large company lunch. This would mean staying for ~1 hour at the University party and then high tailing it over to the company lunch. Apparently, it should be no big deal if I am a little bit late, so I will be able to do both!

Thanks for the advice! I did not even consider the possibility to try to do both previously.

WhatawagSBNy

Many of the University people are or have been in your position, since their job is preparing people to move on. I expect they will see your flying visit as courteous and completely understand when you say why you are leaving.