@Ed2010 recently interviewed Diana Wang, the former Harper's Bazaar Intern who is now suing the company. Wang claims that by having her perform" dangerous work" unpaid.
Now she has gotten a lot of flack, with many bashers pointing out that she knew the position was unpaid when she accepted it. And that internships are meant to help you gain experience.
However, if they have interns doing meaningless free-labor activities, is it worth it?
As I was broke and paying for college and NYC life, I wasn't able to have an unpaid internship as a Freshman. And I certainly couldn't afford to PAY $500+ to work over the summer!
Luckily, when I finally did get my internships, I was lucky enough to get 1 that paid (Thanks ABC Daytime) and while the ones that followed were unpaid, I was given real work to do.
While my internships were beneficial, I think the intern situation should be reexamined. I don't think people should have to PAY to work.
Students who have internships over the summer shouldn't have to pay the university money for credit. They should be able to use their summer internship as a fall credit (if they are taking between 12-18 credits ) in the fall. It is disgusting that Universities profit off their students unpaid work.
I also agree that internships should be for a set time, and have a set goal. I also think think that if an internship will often require more than 40 hours per week, that should be CLEARLY communicated in the job post. Further, they should be required to give something to interns logging 40+ hours (free metro, car service, lunch, SOMETHING)
Also, companies shouldn't be allowed to make their interns do "entry level work" this isn't only unfair to the intern but entry level candidates as well. Entry level jobs are practically non-existent. Look at the average job posting Entry Level/ Assistant ____ jobs often require AT LEAST one year of experience (often with a note that they mean real work experience and NOT internships) with some requiring 5 years.
Riiiiiiiiight. Because people really are going to SPEND 5 years in the same position, and leave it ...for the same position somewhere else for the same (or less!) pay? Yeah, right.
While I believe that the internship system needs a reboot, I don't think the whole concept should be put to an end. We all need to pay our dues, but the dues should at least have the POTENTIAL to lead to something. It should not be all manual labor/ and gofer tasks without offering and marketable skills and experience for the resume.
What do you think of the lawsuit? Are internships illegal?
Luckily, when I finally did get my internships, I was lucky enough to get 1 that paid (Thanks ABC Daytime) and while the ones that followed were unpaid, I was given real work to do.
While my internships were beneficial, I think the intern situation should be reexamined. I don't think people should have to PAY to work.
Students who have internships over the summer shouldn't have to pay the university money for credit. They should be able to use their summer internship as a fall credit (if they are taking between 12-18 credits ) in the fall. It is disgusting that Universities profit off their students unpaid work.
I also agree that internships should be for a set time, and have a set goal. I also think think that if an internship will often require more than 40 hours per week, that should be CLEARLY communicated in the job post. Further, they should be required to give something to interns logging 40+ hours (free metro, car service, lunch, SOMETHING)
Also, companies shouldn't be allowed to make their interns do "entry level work" this isn't only unfair to the intern but entry level candidates as well. Entry level jobs are practically non-existent. Look at the average job posting Entry Level/ Assistant ____ jobs often require AT LEAST one year of experience (often with a note that they mean real work experience and NOT internships) with some requiring 5 years.
Riiiiiiiiight. Because people really are going to SPEND 5 years in the same position, and leave it ...for the same position somewhere else for the same (or less!) pay? Yeah, right.
While I believe that the internship system needs a reboot, I don't think the whole concept should be put to an end. We all need to pay our dues, but the dues should at least have the POTENTIAL to lead to something. It should not be all manual labor/ and gofer tasks without offering and marketable skills and experience for the resume.
What do you think of the lawsuit? Are internships illegal?
