The DailyDyl

While job searching since completing my studies, another bump in the road I’ve experienced revolves around internships. Many are unpaid or only for currently enrolled college students. Because so many company “entry-level” positions require 2 + years of experience, an internship is a great way to gain experience and potentially earn a full-time position in the company or another.  I have been exploring internships as a way to get that required experience, but so many are unpaid or only for current students.  I do understand that many companies do not have the financial capacity to offer monetary compensation for each role. Instead, compensation comes in the form of gaining valuable experience and receiving college credit for those currently enrolled as students. BUT what about those of us who have graduated and are still looking for that experience?

Numerous college graduates in 2023 either faced challenges in obtaining internships or had their internships curtailed due to the COVID pandemic. Both college students and recent graduates carry financial responsibilities and might find it difficult to manage several months without earning income. Although many of these internships are only part-time, allowing individuals to pursue another part-time job for pay, the challenge arises from the fact that many of these internships coincide with the academic year. So having another job might be out of the question during time commitments and other factors. 

While I’m not implying that unpaid internships are completely bad, I can attest to their value, as I had one myself and was able to acquire valuable experience. I was fortunate enough to be to afford not to be paid during my internship. However, that is not the case for everyone. I believe companies seeking interns should take into account their ability to provide compensation for the interns’ time. Interns can perform valuable functions even if their time at a company is only temporary. 

I have also noticed many unpaid internships that are posted on LinkedIn are being promoted.  Does this mean the company is using money to have the positions boosted? If so could some of that budget be used to pay interns as well?  I found this Washington Post article interesting. Thoughts?