Unpaid Internships...

MrsManda

Unpaid Internships - breaking employment law?

Just read this on the BBC news website and wondered what people's thoughts were? These kind of schemes are being increasingly used and are often seen as being vital to getting a job in today's economic climate. Yet I for one doubt I'd ever be able to afford to do something full time which is unpaid for that long.

Lokolo

Lokolo will never work for free.

If I can't get a job, I'd volunteer in a charity shop rather than the above.

The_One_Who

An unpaid internship/observing/shadowing is fine for a few weeks, but not any more than that, especially if it is on a full-time basis. Most people simply won't have the savings to sustain themselves for long.

[Deleted User]

It's something I'm currently considering - but as of yet I'm undecided if it's right for me.

Some places will cover very local travel costs, but none general living expenses, so it's very inaccessible to most students and graduates. Although I hope it is found to be breaking employment law, and payment is introduced, I fear that if these practices are found to be unlawfull then the opportunity to carryout such potentially valuable work placements will cease to exist at all.

If indeed it is hands on work based training I can see that it would be extremley valuable, but if it's photocopying and making coffee - I'm already very experienced at these tasks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it's something I do decide to do, I shall have to choose very carefully where I go and who I work for.

One thing I am looking into is the possibility of getting funding from my University to do a work placement like this - although as far as I understand at the moment, the funding would only cover a relatively short period of time.

And any funding that' may be available will be highly competative. I wouldn't be in a position to apply without any funding.

I've been unable to find any possible funding alternatives- if anyone can suggest any, I'd be extremly gratefull.

Oldernotwiser

As far as I know, the BBC itself has been offering these sort of schemes for years.

khublaikhan

Don't agree with this myself - an honest days work deserves an honest days pay - tough economic times or not.

Blacksheep1979

Lokolo wrote: »

Lokolo will never work for free.

If I can't get a job, I'd volunteer in a charity shop rather than the above.

erm you do realise that volunteering in a charity shop is work? First statement is kind of a contradiction to the second. Really looks like you're cutting off your nose to spite your face there.

Lokolo

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

erm you do realise that volunteering in a charity shop is work? First statement is kind of a contradiction to the second. Really looks like you're cutting off your nose to spite your face there.

Volunteering in a charity shop and working for someone for free are 2 completely different things.

donquine

My OH did a one week long internship for a well known organisation. Not only did he receive no salary, no contribution was made towards his expenses, which were not insignificant, considering flights were involved.

The name of the organisation caught his employer's attention when looking at his CV and it was enough to get him an interview.

Yes, my OH may have worked for free, but it paid off. Unpaid internships are definitely worth considering, particularly if you have no direct work experience to the field in which you hope to land a graduate job.

Stubert

I worked for free this past summer for 3 months. I always said I never would do it, but I didn't have any other things lined up.

Its not exactly the field I want to be in, but is somewhat related to my degree. I had some of my overdraft left over, so that financed it! I guess I am lucky cos now they are paying me and some of my friends who graduated at the same time as me still don't have jobs.

They said they expected me to work a normal week, but I worked about 30 hours I guess. Its one of those things I had to do, and the experience is definitely beneficial for me when going for jobs/interviews.

Gingernutmeg

I have no idea how people can afford to do unpaid internships - maybe at a pinch I can see how you'd manage a week, but I've seen placements asking for people to work for six months, or a year, unpaid. Especially in London - how do people afford it?