Unpaid internships

[Q]

Since economy sucks and it's really hard to get any internship, I've emailed a few local companies (internet marketing/SEO type stuff) asking if they have any internships , paid or not.

I got a reply back and am planning on waiting to reply until I hear from another in case it might be a paid one.

Anyway, are unpaid internships worth it, as in putting on resume, does it really 'look' good?

Thanks for any replies

EDIT: I do have another question: the guy replied to my email and just said " Thank you for contacting us. We would be glad to help you.
Please give us a call and ask for Heidi."

That sound kinda weird to anyone else? As in cut/paste stuff?

 

[Farang]

It will look the same as a paid internship on a resume.

 

[TecHNooB]

If I were to choose an unpaid internship, it would only be if the experience gained is so good, I'd be fine not getting paid.

 

[ggnl]

I would never do unpaid if you aren't at least getting college credit for it.

 

[Insomniator]

Yeah gotta get credit if unpaid... I got paid and credits even though I wasn't supposed to. Good thing Rutgers is completely retarded.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Insomniator
Yeah gotta get credit if unpaid... I got paid and credits even though I wasn't supposed to. Good thing Rutgers is completely retarded.

My university required companies to pay if they wanted to participate in the internship program (for business majors at least, not sure about others).

 

[darkxshade]

I'd call and find out what Heidi has to offer.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: Quintox


EDIT: I do have another question: the guy replied to my email and just said " Thank you for contacting us. We would be glad to help you.
Please give us a call and ask for Heidi."

That sound kinda weird to anyone else? As in cut/paste stuff?

If they ask you to sell knives or insurance (starting with your relatives), just say "No".

 

[Gibson486]

do not be fooled by money. Unpaid /lesse paid could lead to bigger rewards. If you let money dictate what you do, you wil be miserable.

 

[ScottyB]

Should be illegal. Minimum wage should be required for the work.

 

[Goosemaster]

Question: if I am on an unpaid internship does that void unemployment?

 

[Slapstick]

Over the years where I work unpaid internships have led to paid internships, positions with my department, positions with other employers with whom we've had contact with, references that carry a great amount of weight for admission to higher degree programs, etc. It's about making contacts and a name for yourself. It says a lot about the character of the individual that works hard for the knowledge not the pay when first starting your career.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: Quintox


EDIT: I do have another question: the guy replied to my email and just said " Thank you for contacting us. We would be glad to help you.
Please give us a call and ask for Heidi."

That sound kinda weird to anyone else? As in cut/paste stuff?

If they ask you to sell knives or insurance (starting with your relatives), just say "No".

Ha, I know -- it's an SEO/online marketing company though, website looks legit

 

[SneakyStuff]

Unpaid internship = absolute shit. There are plenty of paid internships out there. If I'm working in a professional setting for 40 hours a week I don't want to be paid with a "chance" of landing a job later on. I have rent and bills to pay, not to mention food and books!!! That's just my personal opinion as a college student though.

 

[ghostman]

This all depends on the internship. An internship where you actually get to learn from a mentor could be invaluable. An internship where you're just basically working for free is BS. But in both cases, you can put it on your resume, so it has some added value.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Question: if I am on an unpaid internship does that void unemployment?

One of the requirements for drawing unemployment typically is that you have to be available to work if it is offered. Assuming you wouldn't turn down a paying gig for an unpaid internship then it shouldn't disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits.

 

[krylon]

Is this an internship for the porn industry? I see no problem.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: krylon
Is this an internship for the porn industry? I see no problem.

Brings a whole new meaning to "that asshole at the office..."

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Question: if I am on an unpaid internship does that void unemployment?

One of the requirements for drawing unemployment typically is that you have to be available to work if it is offered. Assuming you wouldn't turn down a paying gig for an unpaid internship then it shouldn't disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits.

cool.

 

[xSauronx]

probably depends on what experience i could get. as another poster said, I have bills to pay so working a lot of hours for an unpaid internship would be impossible for me. i volunteer a few hours here and there with the admin at school to get some experience, but this is as my schedule fits what he needs done or when he can have someone around. i also get paid work study at school with another admin.

 

[eits]

they suck. i'm an unpaid senior intern right now... it really blows, but i get a lot of experience.

only a few more months...

 

[oiprocs]

Deja vu.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Should be illegal. Minimum wage should be required for the work.

It is, if the experience doesn't look more like a training/learning experience than a job and the company can't answer yes to the majority of the following:

1. The training, even though it includes actual operations of the facilities of the employers, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school.
2. The training is for the benefit of the student.
3. The student does not displace a regular employee, but works under the close observation of a regular employee or supervisor.
4. The employer provides the training and derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the student; and on occasion, the operations may actually be impeded by the training.
5. The student is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period.
6. The employer and the student understand that the student is not entitled to wages for the time spent training.

Common guidelines state:

An internship site should be able to answer "yes" to at least half the following questions if an unpaid internship is being contemplated:

1. Is the work that you are offering an integral part of the student's course of study?
2. Will the student receive credit for the work or is the internship required for graduation?
3. Does the student have to prepare a report of his/her experience and submit it to a faculty supervisor?
4. Have you received a letter or some other form of written documentation from the school stating that the internship is approved/sponsored by the school as educationally relevant?
5. Will the student perform work that other employees also perform, with the student doing the work for the purpose of learning and not necessarily performing a task for the employer?
6. Is the student working and providing benefit to you less than 50 percent of the time and/or is the student in a shadowing/learning mode?
7. Will you provide an opportunity for the individual to learn a skill, process, or other business function, or operate equipment?
8. Is there educational value to the work performed, that is, is it related to the courses the person is taking in school?
9. Is the individual supervised by one of your staff members?
10. Is it clear that a job is not guaranteed upon completion of the training or completion of the person's schooling?

 

[Bibble]

My school does not give credit for internships, but I've only ever done unpaid ones. They were fun summer experiences and still look interesting on a resume, so they were worth it to me.

 

[Saint Nick]

I think unpaid internships are for people that really need the experience in the industry. A lot of entertainment industry internships are unpaid because venues, management companies, promoters, and the like do not make enough money to pay for their work. However, if someone REALLY wants to break into the industry, this is the best way -- through an unpaid internship.

I haven't seen a lot of corporate unpaid internships. They can afford to pay an intern. We don't cost anything (I am an intern at UPRR currently). Entertainment industry types can't afford it.

I did want to get into the entertainment industry, but couldn't find a good internship to work for. Saddle Creek Records based out of Omaha offers unpaid internships, but they are next to impossible to get because its so competitive.