So You Were Offered an Unpaid Internship…
You’re a college student hunting for work experience to put on your resume. An internship posting catches your attention, and you start to get excited about the prospect of jumping into the professional world. The catch? There’s no pay. What should you do?
I’ve been in your shoes: from working competitively paying internships to nominally paying internships to paid part-time jobs to unpaid part-time jobs, I’ve tried a little bit of everything. Here are some factors I’d consider when pondering applying for an unpaid internship.
What field am I entering?
Intern pay will vary depending on your field. If you’re looking for an internship in tech, law, or engineering, chances are higher that you’ll find a well-paying internship than those looking for internships in government sectors or nonprofits.
Do a quick scan of internships in your area. Do other companies pay for work you’d be doing for free? If so, are there any benefits to taking the unpaid internship? Maybe they have a better office culture, more flexibility, or are centered around a cause you care about. Pay matters, but it's rarely the only thing that makes or breaks an experience.
What is the environment of my school/town?
I am blessed to be entering my senior year at one of the top journalism schools in the nation. Being surrounded by high-achieving students means job competition is fierce in my major. If you’re in a similarly competitive program at your school, unpaid internships are likely already in high demand; companies will get plenty of applications without needing to pay interns.
Summer could be your time to find a paid internship. Exploring markets with less competition from other students will bring opportunities that are harder to find in your college town.
You can also think outside of the box with your paid internships. Most of my paid jobs have been in events, marketing, and hospitality. These fields aren’t technically within the realm of journalism, but they helped me discover new interests and develop transferable skills. Taking internships that are less typical for your major can give you unique skills and perspectives compared to your peers.
Does this work interest or benefit me?
A bulkier resume isn’t necessarily a better resume, especially if it requires doing free work that doesn’t grow you professionally or personally.
At one point, I contemplated applying for an unpaid internship with the athletics department at my school. I love sports and my school, but I ended up deciding against it. While the work was loosely connected to my major, the day-to-day work wouldn’t have energized me or developed the skills I was looking for. I found a paid events internship instead, which turned out to be a great fit for me.
Keep in mind that no internship is perfect. Don’t focus on finding your dream job at 20, but instead think about collecting the building blocks that will eventually get you there.
Can I afford to take this internship?
From living in the dorms to renting an apartment to living at home, I’ve had drastic changes in my financial responsibilities over my college career. One semester, I had the flexibility to take on a lot of unpaid work for my local newspaper. Another semester, I worked a paid internship and a part-time job to comfortably pay for rent, food, and gas.
Not everyone has the privilege of working for free, and that’s okay. You shouldn’t feel bad if you can’t (or don’t want to) take an unpaid internship. If you are financially comfortable, don’t stress too much about money. College will likely be the best time in your adult life to prioritize experience over money. It’s not bad to be financially minded in college, but don’t let it stop you from pursuing worthwhile opportunities.
Do I have room in my schedule?
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters”
– Psalm 23: 1-2
Notice that word: makes. Not suggests. Not invites. The Lord makes David rest. David, left to his own ambitions, probably wouldn't have chosen rest himself. He was a man constantly facing opposition and danger, yet God still required him to pause and rest.
We were designed to rest and work in proportionate amounts. So often we get into a rhythm of working until we collapse. Then we rest only until we recover enough to get up and do it again. Having a good work ethic is an admirable trait, but not at the cost of the rest God calls us to. If you take on more work, will you still be able to make time for meaningful rest?
Faith and Finance Perspective
There’s no debate that your work is worth something. Being young doesn’t disqualify you from contributing to your office in meaningful ways that deserve compensation. It is okay if an unpaid or nominally paying internship is not feasible or desirable to you; no one should make you feel guilty for wanting to be paid for your work. However, internships can offer compensation in forms other than money.
The most important question to ask yourself, above any of the practical calculations, is “Where is the Lord leading me?” Living in Christ often looks like putting aside our own desires and following him instead. Listening to your convictions and consulting God’s word are the best steps you can take when planning your internship.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
– Galatians 2:20