As a college student, I'm looking to apply to some summer internships for this summer. I considered adding a SaaS I've run on the side for a year or so now. It's gained me a _ton_ of skills about Linux management, containerization, web servers, etc - I've rounded my sysadmin knowledge considerably.
However, as I've marked the work experience as "ongoing" on my resume and various forms, I'm afraid some reviewers may look negatively upon a "current job" like that, which may require constant work - perhaps they see it as a possible interruption of the internship. I've got a research lab as well on my resume, but those don't imply working over the summer. I hope they'd be reasonable about knowing that it doesn't interfere with work (it requires nearly no maintenance), but perhaps something like this is considered poorly especially for a student summer internship. They might want a majority of my time and for me to avoid distractions like managing a business. Any thoughts on the matter?
Basically most everyone does their work when studying g there's no differentiator there. Some small few take that learning and create work for themselves. Maybe it makes money, maybe not. But the learning that happens when you take a product to market is enormous.
If you were applying to be my intern, not only would we spend quite a lot of the interview talking about your project, but you'd have to be pretty terrible not to get the post.
I know we're not normal, but we'd also encourage you and see how we can support your project. Perhaps we're different though because we started the business, and grew from nothing, so we understand what it takes.
So my advice is leave it on. Some places may mark you down, but frankly, you'd get less value interning there anyway.
And assume (and tell them) you'll only be working on your SaaS after hours.
Congratulations on the effort though. Whether you get interned or not, running your own side gig makes you more employable in the long run. (and sure, you may end up closing the side-gig when you start full time work, just because you need time for a life as well :)