The True Cost of Unpaid Internships: Time for a Change? - I've been thinking a lot about the trend of hiring unpaid interns for 3 to 6 months. This concept is quite confusing to me. We expect these interns to help us with our work but we don’t want to pay them. - Interns, who are mostly students, bring fresh ideas and vision. However, they often lack professionalism and responsibility. It's not their fault—they pay huge fees to colleges and universities, so getting good marks is more important to them than an unpaid internship certificate. - In this situation, employers are actually losing out. Interns are busy with their academic schedules and often can't complete work on time. This results in missed deadlines and incomplete projects. - Maybe it's time to rethink the value of paying interns. It might just lead to better work and more committed young professionals. - What do you think? Let's discuss.
Surabhi Shukla’s Post
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The True Cost of Unpaid Internships: Time for a Change? - I've been thinking a lot about the trend of hiring unpaid interns for 3 to 6 months. This concept is quite confusing to me. We expect these interns to help us with our work but we don’t want to pay them. - Interns, who are mostly students, bring fresh ideas and vision. However, they often lack professionalism and responsibility. It's not their fault—they pay huge fees to colleges and universities, so getting good marks is more important to them than an unpaid internship certificate. - In this situation, employers are actually losing out. Interns are busy with their academic schedules and often can't complete work on time. This results in missed deadlines and incomplete projects. - Maybe it's time to rethink the value of paying interns. It might just lead to better work and more committed young professionals. - What do you think? Let's discuss.
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Ban Unpaid Internships! I find the concept of unpaid internships completely unethical. How can companies take advantage of someone's time and effort for their own profit without offering any compensation? It feels like a formalized version of exploitation. It's unreasonable to expect fresh graduates, often with bachelor’s degrees, to work for free. On top of that, many interns aren’t even reimbursed for basic expenses like fuel, long commutes, or meals. Interns often have to dip into their savings just to gain experience that may not even hold much value or make a significant impact on their future. In my opinion, unpaid internships aren't worth it, especially if you have bills, tuition, or other financial responsibilities. For every unpaid opportunity, there’s likely a company out there willing to pay you for your work.
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Should a student spent time doing Interns without being paid? Generally, students participating in internship programs or volunteer work, i mean unpaid job, can gain experience, build skills, expand their network, and enhance their resumes, which can lead to better career opportunities in the future. However, it wastes their time, so with those who intially have trouble in financial situation and time management skill, often feel hard to immerse. As a sophomore, I completed a six-month internship program at a small start-up company, which operated as an Integrated Education Services Company. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the dynamics of a growing organization and the challenges interns often face in such environments. In this role, interns were eligible to receive a monthly stipend only if the company’s revenue met certain targets—a policy I found to be unfair and inconsistent with the value interns contribute to an organization. These above are what happened in my IP: - Insufficient on-site training - Heavy workload - Lack of support from mentor Despite the challenges, the internship taught me adaptability and problem-solving skills. Handling a heavy workload improved my time management and gave me a clearer view of professional expectations, which will benefit me in the future. However, I believe companies should provide proper support and fair compensation for interns. Consistent training and financial incentives motivate interns and create a better learning environment, ensuring mutual benefits for both interns and employers. #storytelling #linkedin #interns #vietnam
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While engaging in a recent conversation (that infuriated me a bit) with a colleague who boasts extensive industry experience, we found ourselves diving into an age-old debate: should interns be paid? Surprisingly, yes, these discussions are still very much alive! I believe that interns should be compensated for their work. My colleague, however, presented a different perspective, arguing that interns should focus on learning rather than earning. This viewpoint suggests that the primary goal of an internship is skill acquisition and career development and that monetary compensation might detract from this purpose. Reflecting on my own journey, I acknowledge that many of us have undertaken unpaid internships at some point to gain invaluable experience. While this might have been a necessity or even the norm in the past, as we advance in our careers and gain the ability to influence policies, we should strive to reward interns for their contributions. In today’s dynamic work environment, interns often bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a willingness to learn. By compensating them, we are investing in the future of our industry and fostering a more inclusive and motivated workforce. I would love to hear your thoughts on this! Should interns be paid, or should the focus remain solely on learning? How do we strike the right balance between offering meaningful learning experiences and providing fair compensation? Share your views in the comments! #hiring #internship #stipend
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Unpaid internships have opened doors for many, but let’s pause and ask: Who gets to step through that door? For some, working without pay isn’t just difficult, it’s not an option. Rent, food, transportation - life doesn’t stop because you’re gaining “experience.” For those without a financial cushion, an unpaid internship becomes a roadblock. What does this mean for companies? You might not be getting the best talent, you’re getting the talent that can afford to show up. That’s not just a diversity problem, it’s a missed opportunity for creativity and innovation. A small stipend can make a huge difference. It says, “We value your time and believe in your future with us.” By paying interns, you open doors to more diverse, qualified candidates who are ready to contribute and grow. And to those seeking internships, remember: your skills and time are valuable. Ask if the role is paid. Advocate for yourself. You’re not “just an intern,” you’re building your career.
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🐾 Why Paying Interns is a Must! 🐾 We’ve all come active enthusiastic interns, full of potential and enthusiasm, contributing significantly to the team. Wouldn't you want to reward that dedication? 💡 Here’s why paying interns is crucial: 1. Value for Effort: Just like the rest of the team, interns bring energy and fresh perspectives. Paying them acknowledges their hard work and dedication. 2. Talent Attraction: Competitive compensation attracts top talent. Who wouldn’t want the best and brightest interns in their team? 3. Fairness and Equity: Everyone deserves to be compensated for their contributions. It’s about creating a fair and inclusive workplace. 4. Motivation and Loyalty: A paid intern is a motivated intern. They’re more likely to stay engaged and loyal to your company. Let’s make sure our interns feel valued and appreciated. After all, a happy staff makes for a productive workplace! 🐾💼 Agree with the above or not? Leave a comment! Fabien Ghys #PayInterns #FairWorkplace #Internship #WorkplaceCulture
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Are unpaid internships truly beneficial? With many students & young professionals eager to gain experience & start their career journey, internships play a vital role in building valuable work experience & skills. However, there are several cons which come with an unpaid internship: 1. Financial burden may arise for those who need to support themselves for their families. 2. It can lead to burnout & stress due to the pressure to perform without compensation. 3. Can be exploitative, with interns doing menial tasks without fair compensation. 4. Devalue the work & contributions of interns. 5. Perpetuates inequality & limits diversity in industries. The solution: It's time to rethink unpaid internships & prioritise fairness, inclusivity & equal opportunities for all. 1. Offer paid internship in the form of stipends to ensure some compensation. 2. Ensure interns have meaningful work. 3. Guarantee a job offer after completion of the internship if performance meets expectation. 4. Offer performance based incentives. Fair compensation & meaningful work experiences are essential for interns growth. #CareerDevelopment #internship #inclusivity LinkedIn for Marketing
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Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I do find it surprising that it's mandatory for my internship to be unpaid🙂 The reasoning behind this policy is that if companies were to pay interns, they would demand more from them and provide less learning opportunities because when there are set expectations, such as monetary compensation, it can create a more professional dynamic. And while this may sound weird, hear me out - the internship is the closest thing we students get to real world experience before getting into the 'real world' and it seems to me that taking out this dynamic makes it even less so. (at least, in my head, it makes more sense to think about it this way) When this discussion is raised, I hear things like 'they don't pay you to learn in school anyway','it's your time and effort for their experience and knowledge', 'you don't want the pressure that comes with getting paid', all valid, but my biggest concern is that even with the internship, I may find it's still a different world out there😭😭 I'm genuinely curious about whether this unpaid internship model truly prepares us for the industry we're entering. While it may allow for more mistakes and less pressure, I wonder if this accurately reflects the work environment we'll face in our careers. Please, I'd like to hear from employers and students who have gone through paid and/or internships to understand if this approach is genuinely helpful in preparing for future employment 🙏 Thanks in advance for sharing!
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𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 Especially the unpaid variety. Having been on both sides of the intern desk, I've pondered the pros and cons extensively. First off, I'm firmly in the camp that believes unpaid internships shouldn't exist. Hear me out. I think unpaid internships are like saying, "Hey, come gain experience, but only if you're already financially comfortable." Not cool, right? But why do some employers still offer them? Well, for starters, there's the cost-saving aspect of it. Let's be real, it's cheaper to have interns working for free than paying them. Plus, there's the appeal of free labor, especially for tasks that might not be a priority for full-time staff. However, the effectiveness of unpaid internships for a company is debatable. Sure, they might get some extra hands on deck, but are they truly invested? It's tough to say. Without a financial stake, interns might not be as motivated or committed. In conclusion, unpaid internships might seem like a win-win for employers, but they come with ethical and practical concerns. Let's strive for fairer, more inclusive opportunities that benefit both interns and companies alike. After all, isn't that what progress is all about? P.S What are your thoughts on unpaid internships? Let's keep the conversation going. Drop your comments below. #internships #fairopportunities #inclusiveworkplaces
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𝗕𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀! I don't understand the concept of unpaid internships. It is madly unethical in my view. How could you take someone's time for your own profit and not pay them? It's like a formalized slavery. Companies shouldn’t be asking fresh graduates with BS degrees to do free work. On top of that, internees are not even compensated for fuel expenses and long hours of commute or lunches. They had to spend their savings to just get an experience that little to no matters and doesn't make a huge difference. I don't think they're worth it to be honest, especially if you have expenses/bills/tuition you need to pay. For every unpaid internship, there is another company willing to pay you for your work.
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