Should I take this job/internship?

Ok so I know that previously I asked a question about unpaid internships. After reading many of your comments and some self reflection, I decided that I definitely wanted the experience. However, a lot of stuff has happened since I asked that question and now I am in a position where I literally have no choice but to turn down the offer against my will. So, I have 3 days in the week originally set aside for that internship that are now free. I have two options available to me to fill those days: one is working at the communications lab at my university, the other is doing office work at city hall. My family is pushing me to do the city hall job but I really don’t want to do it that much. So I will present my current predicament and hope that some of you can give me your own personal opinions as to whether the job is worth it or not.

The position at city hall is 9–5 Mondays and Wednesdays and the pay is $10 an hour. However, parking is not free and the minimum lot (if it isn’t filled) is $5 a day. I will have to also purchase new clothes as the dress code is full business attire. I have a couple pairs of slacks and nice blouses that I wear for interviews and whatnot, but I was told that I would need to wear suit jacket and skirt sets. I don’t own those types of clothes I guess because whenever I’ve been in a situation when I was doing work in my actual field, everyone dresses really casually. Aside from interviews, I don’t really have a reason to be in full suits. I will be filing, organizing, faxing, and related things. Essentially, office gruntwork/paperwork. I will be in a cubicle in the locked off city council “area” of city hall outside of a particular councilman’s office. From walking around, it seems like I would be very busy.

My grandfather (the one who is friends with the councilman) says it is a good opportunity because he thinks I will meet people that can help me in my career field (graphic design/animation). Looking at where I would be working, it doesn’t seem so but then again maybe I just don’t know anything. I’m just iffy about the whole thing because I don’t see how much it would benefit me. On the one hand, I could get a recommendation from an elected city official. But on the other hand, how much does a recommendation from a city official help me get into my particular career field? Maybe it will and I’m just missing something….My grandfather also says that people in government don’t work a lot and he doesn’t think I would be doing a bunch of stuff all day (though it looks like I would). He says he knows what he is talking about.

The other position that I would get if I do not work the city council job is at the front desk of the communications lab at my university. It’s pretty simple, I honestly don’t really do anything other than answer a few phone calls and tell people where to go. Since work would be slow, I could use that time to do artwork and build my portfolio up. Parking is free for me, no new wardrobe is required, and the pay is $8.50 and hour Mondays and Wednesdays

Part of the reason why I didn’t want to take classes this summer is because I wanted a break. Not just from school, but in general. I’m always so busy and therefore never have time to draw and build my portfolio. This summer was SUPPOSED to be used for doing the internship to build my resume and having some free time to draw or just relax for a change. Now that the internship situation has fallen through, I have to find other things to do…....I’m just not sure what to do anymore and it’s like I have to make a decision immediately.

Should I still take the city hall job instead of the communications lab job?