The definition of an internship is ‘the position of a student or trainee who works in an organisation, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.’ They offer valuable experience, industry connections, and a glimpse into professional life.
A growing debate surrounds the fairness of unpaid internships, as critics argue about the exploitation of young workers and socioeconomic inequality. While some defend them as opportunities for skill-building and networking, others believe they create barriers for those who cannot afford to work for free. So, should unpaid internships be abolished, or do they still serve a meaningful purpose in today’s job market?
As a full-time student who currently works four days a week, the idea of going on an unpaid internship makes me shudder. I live at home and work a few hours Tuesday through Friday to earn some income; I could never imagine working full time for little to no pay.
Often in unpaid internships, the interns perform the ‘grunt work’ without any compensation. Many companies use interns for free labour rather than to provide legitimate learning opportunities. Interns are completing work that directly benefits the company’s operation. It is work that deserves to be compensated. This kind of treatment violates basic workers’ rights and labour laws in some countries, particularly when the work done by interns could be done by paid employees.
Unpaid internships reinforce socioeconomic inequality because only those who can afford to work for free take them. How can someone do a full-time internship for no money and afford to live? Disadvantaged students from low income backgrounds, or students that are studying away from home, have to prioritise paid work which means they’d miss out on the learning curve of an internship. Making wealthier individuals gain better career opportunities.
They can also lack protections against workplace harassment or exploitation. Interns are seen as being at the bottom of the ladder. Employees that are higher up in the company can use interns to do the work that they don’t want to do themselves. There’s also little entitlement to benefits, such as sick leave or job security. They can be dismissed without any notice or reason without a proper employment contract.
Despite unpaid internships being labelled as ‘career building’ and ‘educational experiences,’ they do not guarantee future employment. Entry-level jobs are increasingly being replaced by unpaid positions, making it harder to enter industries without being willing to work unpaid, leading to a cycle where only those with financial backing can gain the necessary experience.
There are ethical and economical arguments for paid internships. All work should be fairly compensated by employers, who are still contributing to the success of the business despite their position.
By paying for the internships, it motivates companies to provide meaningful and useful work experience, as their money is going towards creating a good employee. By being paid, the intern is likely to put more effort into the work that they are doing for the business.
After the internship, the intern may even want to return to that company if it provides them with good pay and skills. There is no doubt that unpaid internships should be abolished and replaced by a fair system for all employees.
