As summer internship programs begin accepting applications, the debate heats up about whether or not such positions should be paid or unpaid. Up until this point, I’ve largely stayed out of the conversation, watching it unfold. However, after reading a blog post by “The Intern Queen” Lauren Berger, I was pushed over the edge and feel compelled to officially step up to the plate.
I frequently hear internships equated to “unpaid slave labor.” Let me set the record straight—unpaid slave labor is forcing someone to work in unsanitary conditions against their will where they are lucky to escape with their lives at the end of the day. That is unpaid slave labor. Holding an internship position where you gain meaningful, résumé-building experience that happens to be unpaid is just not the same.
However, please do not mistake these statements to mean I believe companies should take on unpaid interns if they have the means to pay them. (Microsoft, if you’re not paying your interns, shame on you.)
Instead, allow me to take you back to my first unpaid internship. When I was in college, I did not expect to have a single internship that paid. I did eventually have several, and the most I received was $8.25 per hour. But, that first one provided me with experience that arguably helped me land my first position out of college. It was a public relations internship in which I ran an entire account the firm had taken on pro bono. The campaign I developed went on to win an award from the state’s Public Relations Society of America chapter. Would I have liked to have been paid for the 60 hours each week I was putting in instead of having to take on an extra paying gig on the side? Of course. Would I trade the experience I received? Not a chance.
“When you can’t pay to hire more employees, why not hire interns that you do not have to pay?” said Berger in her post. That statement absolutely infuriates me. It’s not like the decision whether or not to pay interns is made in a dark, secret room like that of the Republicans’ castle on The Simpsons. (“Excellent,” says Mr. Burns in response to such a suggestion while strumming his fingers together.)
There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, but generally companies have regular, structured internship programs they conduct every year (or semester). They have either always been unpaid or, during the budget planning for this fiscal year, the program had to go unpaid for one reason or another. But, I have not seen a significant rise in companies hiring unpaid interns on a whim to replace the employees that have been laid off, like Berger suggests.
A recent study conducted by Intern Bridge of 42,000 students from 400 universities found that seven out of 10 interns would prefer work experience over monetary compensation. Now, those 29,400 students have the right frame of mind. Think about it—not only are you playing to the Gen Y “entitlement” stereotype when you value money over experience, but you are also hurting your chances of quickly landing that entry-level position when you graduate if you’re choosy about whether or not the résumé-building experiences during your college years are paid.
“But I can’t afford to not be paid,” you argue. I completely understand, and allow me to make a suggestion. Arrange to work at the internship five to 10 hours each week (or up to 15 if it’s over summer break), and get a second paying job that will not end up on your résumé because it’s likely not directly related to your career path.
I would argue that most internship positions receive hundreds—and for really prestigious programs, thousands—of applications. Even Berger admits to receiving more than 200 résumés per day for internships she posts on her site. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting in on that action in order to make a smooth transition from classroom to the workplace. These days, it’s not enough to simply graduate with a degree.
Take note, though, that all internships—paid or unpaid—are not created equal. If you’re not going to gain meaningful, résumé-building experience I would advise you not take the position regardless of how much money you might or might not make. Sites like InternshipRatings.com can help you evaluate your options. (And, when you’ve completed an internship, don’t forget to rate your experience on the site to help others in your same position.)
Also, review Willy Franzen’s blog post about illegal unpaid internships. Franzen, the founder of One Day, One Job and One Day, One Internship, frequently speaks out against such positions.
I’m sure I’ll receive plenty of flack for this article—you know where to reach me—but I think it’s important students and recent graduates fully grasp the importance of gaining meaningful, résumé-building experience during college. I write this column solely to help you succeed in your various career paths, and I feel building such awareness is part of my responsibilities.
Comments
Hi Heather,
This is an interesting piece. I don't personally feel that internships are free slave labor or anything negative. The reason I run my business is to help students get internships (most of which are unpaid). I had 15 internship in college and I got one $100.00 stipend from one opportunity. Unpaid internships are the norm for PR, Marketing, Media, Journalism internships. Out of over 300 companies that I work with, only a handful are paid opportunities.
However, I do work directly with many HR professionals, internship coordinators, small/large business owners. Many employers/clients have expressed to me directly via telephone and email that because they have increased job lay offs, they need to hire more unpaid interns. It would be inappropriate for me to release the names of these companies.
I encourage students to absolutely take on UNPAID Internships. I feel the benefit is priceless and there are infinite learning and networking opportunities that may arise as a
result from it.
I thank you for this post as it is important for me to make sure my message is clear. The point of that post was to point out how the economy is affecting internships and not to state that I don't believe students should accept unpaid internships.
Best,
Lauren Berger
"The Intern Queen"
www.quarterlife.com/intern
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