Should You Take An Unpaid Internship?

Nobody wants to work for free, but unpaid internships may still have value to consider depending on a variety of factors. Whether you are in school, recently graduated, or you are simply looking into a new field, there are both benefits and negatives to taking unpaid work.

By Timothy Mably

After graduating college and trying to get your foot in the door of a new industry, you may consider an unpaid internship. Since many internships and other entry-level positions are paid, it raises the question of whether you should take an unpaid internship. Although it might seem necessary while you are enrolled to receive credits, there are good reasons to disregard unpaid internships as an option.

NACE found that unpaid internships can negatively affect students looking for work after graduation. However, it also found that such opportunities inform a person if a career is the right fit and can provide confidence going forward. Unpaid internships can offer a grounded look at a job without the high stakes of long-term commitment. An unpaid internship is a possible route for someone to either confirm their career pursuit or learn that it isn’t the right path for them.?

Pros

According to a survey conducted by the UGA Career Center , 85% of students expressed that their unpaid internships were highly beneficial in their career pursuits. Many internships are unpaid but largely pertain to nonprofits. Unpaid internships in government are also widely available. For anyone pursuing either state or local government as a career, it may be a reasonable route.

While you can build your resume with paid work experiences, including an unpaid internship has the potential to reflect positively on you. An employer is likely to recognize the sacrifice involved and attribute your hard work to the internship. It also demonstrates your sincere pursuit in a field, as pay did not dictate your work.?

An unpaid internship can also lead to a paid position with an employer in the future. Many companies have internships intended to act like a trial period, both for the company and the interns. It can be a draw to an employer knowing that they hire interns for full-time positions. Although you may be focused on adding to your resume, networking with colleagues, and earning recommendation letters, it can present a doorway to paid employment. By entering a company in an unpaid role, you set yourself up for success through proving your work ethic to your boss and establishing good rapport with co-workers.

Students who do not have to worry about finances are most likely to prosper from such an experience. Unlike school, an unpaid internship presents an opportunity for field work. Classes are no longer contributing to general concepts of a career. Instead, students can become informed as to what a field entails. Gained experience can be fundamental to their overall professional trajectory.

Cons

Depending on your financial situation and life state, unpaid labor may not be a practical option. Zariah Cameron , strategist at Equity Centered UX, says, “Maybe if you’re at the beginning of your career and looking for experience to launch it. However, I don’t believe that one person should be exhorted of their resources and talents with no pay.”

Cameron believes that unpaid work can create an unhealthy one-sided dynamic in which a company benefits, but an employee loses. This can theoretically impact a worker and reduce their motivation. It even has the potential to create bitterness in the workplace as an unpaid intern observes employees under the same boss who are paid. Also citing the current state of the economy, Cameron advocates for paid internships of which plenty exist.

Before committing to an unpaid internship, she recommends creating a pro and con list to measure the overall benefits and the cost. For instance, housing and cost of living can be an issue for students if they need an income and an unpaid internship would cut into that time. Similarly, academic expenses may require an income and give valid reason to not consider unpaid work.

Unpaid internships tend to be offered regardless of the size of a company. It may seem like the bigger a company is, the more worthwhile it is to become involved. However, the reputation of an employer within an industry shouldn’t necessarily be a deciding factor. Instead, the pillars of a company such as its mission and values should be fundamental in your decision-making. Cameron says, “I personally believe that just because the company may be small or doesn’t have as much of a reputation as some of the larger well known companies doesn’t mean you can’t gain invaluable knowledge and skills from that paid internship.”

Ultimately, an unpaid internship will be what you make out of it. Depending on your current circumstances, your career may thrive with unpaid work or it may suffer in the long run. It is most important to remain mindful of the field you are considering while weighing the various entry-level opportunities that exist. Although it is not true that unpaid internships have nothing to offer, there are several factors to evaluate based on your level of experience and career goals.?

Top Takeaways

Should you take an unpaid internship??

• For anyone pursuing a career in nonprofits, state, or local government, unpaid internships may be a reasonable route.
• Depending on the employer, an unpaid internship may lead to full-time employment.
• You should consider the pros and cons of an unpaid internship, which largely depends on your specific circumstance.