Unpaid Internships: What’s the Point?

At College – U. Got It?, we’re always on the lookout for guest bloggers. This week we asked Vincent Mackey, an administrative assistant for The CollegeBound Network, to share his advice and past experience with working an unpaid internship.

The most important thing I got from college was actually the six months of free labor I gave as an intern. While a lot of people I know scoff at this statement and don’t understand why anyone would want to work for free, it was the best choice I made.

Still skeptical? Read on to find how your thoughts compare to reality…

I can’t afford to work an unpaid internship. Yes, you can! Fall semester of my sophomore year of college, I was thinking the same when I was offered an opportunity to work at Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y) office as an unpaid intern. I was a full-time student and already working a part-time job at a deli on the weekends. What I hadn’t realized until then was that most internships rarely ask for more than 20 hours per week. I was able to attend my internship two days a week, while still working my weekend job and attending the rest of my college courses.

I would rather get a paid internship. You could, but finding an internship that pays is difficult, let alone finding one with prestige. I chose Senator Clinton’s office not only because it was something I was interested in, but because it would allow me to work with real professionals — while adding an impressive line to my resume! I could have taken a paid internship as the mailroom guy in a magazine company, but then I wouldn’t be able to tell prospective employers how I used to prepare daily schedules for a senator of New York and regularly corresponded with Secret Service agents (real work!).

I’m not qualified to work at a cool internship. I soon discovered the best part about acquiring an unpaid internship: they’re not too hard to get. Employers understand that a college intern will be completely inexperienced and, let’s face it, they can’t be too picky with people they’re not paying. Two things that you will need to remember though, are to create a good resume (hint: base the resume on college courses you are currently taking and not on unrelated work experience) and to dress presentably. After you’ve done this, apply and apply often.

But how do I find applications for the internships I want? Create a list of companies you want to intern for and go Internet surfing for applications. Most large companies will almost always offer some type of internship program and if they don’t, call and ask anyway. Another good resource is your college’s career advisement center. Sometimes overlooked by college students, the center can be extremely useful in developing resumes, discovering a career path, and acquiring internships. This is also the only place where you can find out about receiving college credits for your internship or even travel and lunch stipends offered non-inclusively by unpaid internships.

Aside from being an eyebrow-raiser at interviews, working at Senator Clinton’s office had many other perks. I got to meet the senator herself, saw how professionals work firsthand, and was given a great confidence booster. (Not to mention, my girlfriend was happy I was more than a sandwich slinger at a deli all through college).

I admit that I was skeptical at first, but once I realized the potential that could come from working an unpaid internship, I continued on with two more unpaid internships.

Post a comment: What’s your ideal internship?

– Vincent Mackey

5 comments November 19th, 2008

Looking to the Future: Politics in College

Are you a high school student who’s still pumped up and raring to go after Election ’08? Then why not consider getting involved in the political process next time around. Whether you’re a high school freshman or eager-to-graduate senior, you’ll probably be in college by the time the next whispers of budding presidential campaigns arise. In anticipation of those political college days to-come, we’ve found three ways you can get involved:

Working at the White House
Internships at Disney? Neat. Internships at a local newspaper? Old news. Internships at the White House? Now we’re talking! Three times a year, the White House Internship Program selects 100 interns to work in offices, attend lectures, and volunteer at a variety of events. It’s a one-of-a-kind (unpaid) opportunity that doesn’t come along often, and would make a sterling addition to any resume. For more info visit the White House Internship Program’s site.

Become a Media Mogul
If you have a nose for news and a penchant for politics, think about passing on that local newspaper and snagging an internship with a media organization in D.C. As the center for political happenings in the U.S., Washington, D.C. is home to top movers and shakers in the media. Organizations that regularly seek interns include: The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, PBS, NPR, MSNBC, XM Satellite Radio, and CNN.

Keep it Real on Campus
For students who don’t see themselves as potential White House interns or aspiring journalists, but who still want to get involved, there are plenty of other opportunities awaiting you on campus. Most colleges have student organizations where you can meet others with the same or differing political leanings, and many of these groups join in their party’s efforts when election time rolls around. You’ll get a chance to meet new people, discuss politics, and support your candidate, all while being in the midst of a very real campaign.

– Genevieve M. Blaber

1 comment November 7th, 2008