Unpaid internships are a dime a dozen: 43% of internships with for-profit companies are unpaid, with the percent likely being even higher for non-profit companies. But should students apply to unpaid internships? The answer varies based on each student’s individual circumstances. Here are some points to consider:
Two Reasons to Accept an Unpaid Internship
Unpaid Internships Still Offer Experience and Resume Material – and Early in Life, Experience Trumps Income
The primary goal of an internship for many students is to gain experience. Experience can enable students to test out a career path, prepare for a career, network with professionals, or get a foot in the door for a particular company or role. While a paid internship may provide income in the short-term, the long-term benefits of an unpaid internship, namely, experience, may be even more valuable in opening up doors to long-term careers, if students can afford it in the short term.
In Some Industries, Paid Internships are a Rarity
While in many industries – like technology and business – internships are often paid, in other industries – like the arts, politics, and the non-profit sector – internships are most often unpaid. For students who are interested in these careers, unpaid internships may be the only way to gain experience and build connections – a necessity for eventually breaking into a full-time role.
Two Reasons to be Wary of Unpaid Internships
Unpaid Internships May Make it Hard to Make Ends Meet, and May Not Be Fair
The costs of college are already skyrocketing, and adding a summer internship with no income certainly exacerbates the financial challenge of attending college. For many, unpaid internships may necessitate a part-time job on the side, living at home or with a roommate, or otherwise cutting costs – and for some, unpaid internships are not affordable at all.
Even if unpaid internships are within your budget, there are important questions to consider: critics argue that unpaid internships exploit young workers and create unfair barriers to access to certain industries and positions. There are also additional inequities: “White students and male students are disproportionately represented among paid interns. For example, among men who took part in an internship, slightly more than three-quarters (76.4%) were paid; among women taking part in internships, slightly over half (51.5%) were paid.”
Unpaid Internships May be Lower Quality Experiences, and Result in Worse Career Prospects than Paid Internships
Is an unpaid internship better than no internship at all? While we might think there is value in the experience, networking, and resume-building of an unpaid internship, the hiring rates for unpaid interns (37%) is similar to the hiring rate for students who have not completed an internship at all (35%). Meanwhile 66% of paid interns received a job offer.
There are many possible reasons for these disparities, including the difference in fields between paid and unpaid internships – but one contributing factor may be that many unpaid internships are less effectively designed compared to paid internships. Studies show paid interns reported greater structure and higher expectations for advancement opportunities compared to unpaid interns.
Each Student’s Situation is Unique
Each student should think about their personal situation – career goals, specific internship offers, financial needs – when considering an unpaid internship. Does the internship offer invaluable experience? Are you pursuing an industry that primarily offers unpaid internships? Can you afford food, rent, and other necessities without pay? And does the internship truly open doors? For every situation, these factors may tip the balance one way or the other in a different way. Unpaid internships are not always the right option, but for many students, they remain a common stepping stone.
Why not book a consultation to learn more about internship application support and mentorship? Have a conversation with one of our experts today!
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