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Eight Questions you need to ask before you accept that unpaid internship

Questions you should ask during your interview to make sure you're not jeopardizing your financial, emotional, or mental stability because "money can't buy happiness" but experience definitely isn't paying your rent. List accompanied by GIFs of Michael Scott to motivate you.

erinm

Aug 06, 2018

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Eight Questions you need to ask before you accept that unpaid internship

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After surveying and interviewing 200 students globally for my professional project at Richmond University in London I used what I learned from all of you to make a well researched list of questions you can ask a company during the interview so you know whether or not the unpaid internship will be worth the pay cut.

How many of your current employees started as interns here?

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Unpaid internships are notoriously awful at promoting their interns to full time staff. According to the U.S. NACE only about 39% of unpaid interns end up with job offers from the place they interned. Based on the size of the company and amount of people they've promoted you can probably figure out what your odds are. If they have hired a lot of interns definitely consider taking this one.

Will travel expenses be covered?

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According to CNN Money, Americans living in cities spend about $10 a day commuting to and from work. While that might not seem like a lot it definitely is. To do the math for you that's $50/week, $200/month, which means an average unpaid 3 month internship is going to cost you about $600 just to get to. No thanks.

Who would be my supervisor?

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If companies don't know the answer to this question right away, or can't give you a definite answer without a good explanation, it's a huge warning sign that the whole internship might be a bit disorganized. Internships can be nerve wracking enough as is without having to worry about who you are supposed to go to with questions. While you obviously don't need their full name yet, they should probably be able give you the person's job title (ex. One of our account managers). Internships with established mentors and organized programs will help you get the most out of your time there.

Will I get a letter of recommendation or contact information for someone to be a reference at the end of my internship?

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Seriously... If they're not going to hire you they've got to at least be willing to vouch for you when someone else wants to! It may seem like planning ahead but it's something you definitely need to know. Obviously if they say it's based on your performance that's understandable, but if you feel like you deserve one at the end ask for one.

What exactly will I be doing most days?

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Let me let you in on a secret... "If personal assistant to _____" or "You might be asked to run a few errands for_____" is anywhere in the description, no matter how far down the list, then congrats; you've just applied to be an unpaid personal assistant. Welcome to The Devil Wear's Prada: You're Andy! Getting the CEO's coffee and dry cleaning not what you had in mind for your internship? Yeah. I didn't think so.

What is the company culture like?

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You should be able to get a feel for this when you step into the office. You probably want to look for some people mingling or at least a few smiles. Other things to observe are: Where are people sitting? Are there cubicles or is everyone just out and about? How are people dressed? You know how you're going to work best so take that all of that into account. Usually if it's going to be a fun place to work you'll know it right away. If the person interviewing you is enthusiastic about working there and people you've talked to all seem upbeat and happy, that's a good sign there's a positive company culture.

Do your interns get invited to company conferences or other networking opportunities?

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Meet who you can while you can. Most people find other job opportunities through people they know. I know you've heard it 100 times but seriously, networking is so important. If you're invited to company events you'll meet people naturally, so you won't even have to try very hard to network.

Do you offer any other benefits to your interns?

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Your experience probably won't pay your rent but it might pay for some other things! Some companies sneak in little perks like gym memberships for the duration of your internship and flexible work days for their interns. You might not even know about this kind of stuff until you get hired or unless you ask, and it might help you to make your decision a bit easier. Any financial pressure they're willing to take off you will help while you're not making any money.

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Eight Questions you need to ask before you accept that unpaid internship

Questions you should ask during your interview to make sure you're not jeopardizing your financial, emotional, or mental stability because "money can't buy happiness" but experience definitely isn't paying your rent. List accompanied by GIFs of Michael Scott to motivate you.

How many of your current employees started as interns here?

Will travel expenses be covered?

Who would be my supervisor?

Will I get a letter of recommendation or contact information for someone to be a reference at the end of my internship?

What exactly will I be doing most days?

What is the company culture like?

Do your interns get invited to company conferences or other networking opportunities?

Do you offer any other benefits to your interns?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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