Internships: should we work for free?

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen applying for a career in literary-based industries such as publishing or journalism, work experience is crucial.  Increasing competition for jobs in these sectors has led to employers searching for graduates who possess not only good academic qualifications, but also some form of experience within their chosen field.  For students studying purely academic subjects, internships are an opportunity to demonstrate to future employers that you have the practical skills, which will make you a boon to the workplace.

Paid work experience placements in journalism or publishing are gold dust

However, if you were hoping to earn some much needed cash during your internship, think again.  Paid work experience placements in journalism or publishing are gold dust.  Since the economic crash, many companies have been forced to cut down on their extra expenses, including any paid internships.  Obviously, this can cause problems for students who need the experience, but lack the financial means.  Some companies will help by paying travel expenses, but this is not always guaranteed and, consequently, students may find themselves spending vast amounts on transport in order to commute to their placements.

As well as the financial burden, interns have no legal protection when they accept an unpaid placement.  On some occasions, this has led to companies abusing the free labour offered by work experience candidates.  In recent years, there have been stories in the news about students who have undertaken internships for several months without receiving any pay or credit for their contributions.

The competition for careers in publishing and journalism is fierce, so any kind of work experience is going to be extremely valuable for future job applications

Although this sounds rather ominous, it is also important to consider the benefits of work experience even if it is unpaid.  The competition for careers in publishing and journalism is fierce, so any kind of work experience is going to be extremely valuable for future job applications.  Not only does it offer an insight into the industry itself, but it also gives you the opportunity to experience everyday working life and to learn about other professionals’ experiences within the industry.

In the end, it’s simply a question of balance.  Work experience is a brilliant way to boost your CV, but the skills and insights that you can gain from the placement must be balanced with its duration and financial cost.

Image credits: World Bank Photo Collection / Flickr (Header)