The Hidden Cost of Internships: Freshers Paying for Certificates and Letters of Recommendation

As I am pursuing my B.E. and seeking to gain expertise in networking and cybersecurity, I am eager to apply my knowledge in the industry. Over the past 3-4 months, I've been continuously learning and searching for the best opportunities. I discovered LinkedIn through friends and other social media platforms and learned it was a great place for learners to showcase their skills and secure deserving work or job opportunities.

I created an attractive profile, started posting about my studies, specifically my Red Hat course, and received a fantastic response. In just two months, I achieved over 2100 followers, 100k+ impressions, and more than 1000 profile views. Alongside learning Red Hat, I earned multiple certifications from platforms like Coursera and Udemy.

The Internship Hunt

With my profile established, I started applying for internships and work-from-home opportunities on LinkedIn. After a few attempts, I cracked an interview, but it was for a WordPress developer position, which wasn't my field. I politely declined and continued my search.

One day, I noticed a surge in posts about students securing internships. While congratulating them, I wondered why I wasn't receiving offers despite my qualifications. Determined to succeed, I listed 30 companies and reached out to them via private messages, explaining my skills and experience. To my delight, I received several internship offer letters, albeit unpaid.

The Reality of Paid Internships

After accepting one offer and receiving my task, I noticed that many others were working on the same task. This raised concerns about the confidentiality and authenticity of the internship. Nonetheless, I completed my work, eager to submit and receive my certificate and Letter of Recommendation (LOR). To my shock, I was asked to pay a small fee for documentation and registration.

The Hidden Costs

I ignored the request for payment, questioning why a fresher should pay for an internship certificate when no stipend or substantial training was provided. I moved on to another company, only to encounter the same request for payment. It became clear that many companies were exploiting freshers by charging fees for certificates and LORs without providing real industry experience or mentorship.

The Impact on Freshers

These practices not only place a financial burden on freshers but also undermine the value of genuine internships. Established companies never engage in such practices. They offer real learning opportunities, mentorship, and a glimpse into the industry’s workings.

A Call for Awareness

Freshers, be cautious of these scams. Paying for certificates or LORs from companies that provide no real training or industry exposure is a disservice to your career. Seek internships that offer real value, even if they are unpaid. Real learning and growth come from genuine industry experience, not from paying for a piece of paper.

Conclusion

The trend of charging freshers for internship certificates and LORs is alarming and unethical. It exploits those eager to gain industry experience and tarnishes the integrity of genuine internships. As freshers, we must be vigilant and seek out legitimate opportunities that truly contribute to our career growth. Let's prioritize real learning over meaningless certifications and stand against practices that exploit our aspirations.