If you fall anywhere from the 18- to 20-something age range, you not only know what an internship is, but have probably fervently searched for one over the last couple of years. Some high school students, almost all college students, and even some recent graduates rarely get to their first day of their first job without being an intern at some point first.
Until recently, it was extremely rare to find a paid internship. Some internships may come with some perks—maybe a discount on their products, a stipend, or some free lunches. But, as of late, it has become a hot topic of debate—should interns be paid?
I, like most of you, have had a few different internships at this point. Luckily, I have learned a lot and enjoyed most of my internship experiences. But, I do know a bit more than a handful of people that have had less than pleasant experiences at their internships.
There are two ends of the spectrum to this argument. The first school of thought is that interns work just as hard as most other entry-level employees, typically work eight-hour days, and are vital to the completion of a range of different tasks. The second school of thought is that an internship is structured a lot like an apprenticeship—your “paycheck” is the privilege of being where you are, surrounded by professionals, and constantly being presented with opportunities to learn.
In my opinion, there is no logical way to place oneself completely at either end of the spectrum. Why? Because no two internships are structured the same way. Some internships fit the second school of thought. Some internships truly are so knowledge and opportunity-rich that just being there is paycheck enough. I’ve been lucky to have quite a few of those. But, unfortunately, some internships also fit the first school of thought. Far too many internships are built on long days, never-ending excel sheets, and consistent coffee-run-like errands. I feel pretty comfortable saying that a majority of internships land somewhere in the middle of those two scenarios.
In the past few years, a lot of companies have not only been slammed with moral backlash for not paying their interns, but also slapped with hefty lawsuits. A slew of industries, ranging all the way from finance firms to fashion houses, are facing serious legal consequences for not paying, overworking, and mistreating their interns. Many paid employees operate in the mindset of “I interned, I paid my dues, and these interns should too”—and I don’t completely disagree.
As an intern you are consistently reminded that you are at the bottom of the totem pole. For those of you that say this is “demeaning” or “emotionally damaging”—my response is, give me a break. Everyone must start at the bottom at some point, and being at the bottom has done nothing if not heightened my drive to get to the top. Being an intern has taught me how to get through 8+ hour days without complaining, meet deadlines, be on time, work with a team, as well as how to set goals and reach them.
Being an intern is hard work, but it also prepares you for the “real world” in a way that no professor or classroom ever could. I am incredibly grateful for all of my internship experiences—whether they have been paid or not. For those of you that have had less pleasant experiences than I, I do understand your argument for a paycheck—but I do not understand your ungrateful attitudes. There have been plenty of times that I have wanted to pull my hair out while completing menial, difficult, and tedious tasks as an intern—but, they have not only taught me good lessons, but also made moments where I get to do what I actually love all the more valuable. So, should interns be paid? I’ll leave that decision to the people in Washington, and your interpretation of my own opinion to you.
