Unpaid Internships: Should You Ever Do It? 

At some point in any student’s undergraduate life, they’re bound to undergo an internship program to gain industry experience and put their knowledge into practice in the working world.

One of the most controversial questions to the date is whether students should take up unpaid internships. While some insist that no one should agree to work for free, others argue that there are still some benefits to taking up unpaid internships.

Torn about which path to take on your internship journey? Let us help you tackle the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Pros & Cons Of An Unpaid Internship - Read This Before Applying!

Pros:

1. Unpaid Internships Can Start To Build Your Professional Network

Expanding your professional network is one of the best things anyone could do while they’re still a student.

Thanks to your connections, you won't be starting from zero once you graduate and step outside of the school environment.

Since there is less pressure to perform, unpaid internships tend to focus more on the experience, which includes interacting with industry professionals that have plenty to offer.

This is where interns can seek career advice and guidance from key mentors at the company they’re interning in.

Who knows, these interactions may even help college students find a job or get their foot in the door at their dream role.

2. It Can Give You Leverage To Apply For Your Next Paid Internship

Why limit yourself to just one, when you could do two internships in the course of your studies? For those feeling bold and hungry for more industry experience before stepping into the real world, going two-for-two can be a great idea.

Whether it’s in a similar industry or an entirely different one, having previous internship experience with another company would certainly set you apart from other candidates applying for the same role.

It shows that you have developed an understanding of what it’s like in a professional setting and that you were dedicated in your previous role, despite it being an unpaid position.

3. You Can Immediately Start To Learn Real-World Skills & Test Out A Career Path

Sometimes, skills and experience can be more valuable than money. One of the greatest benefits of an unpaid internship lies in the wealth of knowledge you’ll acquire from industry experts themselves.

Especially for those who have no experience yet or are still planning out the ideal trajectory of their careers, unpaid programs can serve as a great stepping stone.

Not only does this allow you to dip your toes into the real world, but it also helps students find what works for them and what doesn’t.

Even if it may not have been the right fit career-wise, students can still take the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired with them to their next opportunity.

Cons:

1. You Won’t Have Income That Can Eat Into Your Savings

The most obvious downside to unpaid internships is the fact that they are, well, unpaid.

For students studying abroad and relying on their part-time jobs or fixed allowance for their daily expenses, this may not exactly be the right fit.

On top of that, internships can also take up a great deal of money. From transportation costs, daily meals, and even the recommended office attire, it’s going to be quite an expense for any student.

Take a good look at your finances to see whether you can afford to take up an unpaid opportunity before taking the plunge.

2. You Might Feel Exploited And Not Put In Your Best

With the lack of remuneration, it’s easy for interns to feel taken advantage of given the nature of their work.

In the case of paid internships, interns would be rewarded with a salary for their hard work and efforts, leading to increased motivation and productivity. When the opportunity is unpaid, it may cause students to feel a sense of demotivation.

Whether it’s just an internship or a full-time role, sometimes money as a reward can be a massive motivator for employees to perform better in the workplace.

3. They Might Not Be As Recognized As Fully Paid Internships

In today’s job market, paid internships still have more weight on potential employers than unpaid ones.

Multiple internships statistics have shown that paid internships lead to more full-time jobs after graduation than unpaid roles. These job offers can either come from the company where the student was interning or even an entirely different organization.
 

Since paid internships are more highly regulated and credible, it’s no question why they are more recognized in the professional workforce.

Seek Guidance From Our Team Of Educational Counsellors

Making a huge decision such as deciding to undergo an unpaid internship or not can be overwhelming.

That’s why we’re here to help students make an informed decision on their career path with tailored guidance from our IDP counsellors.

From assessing whether an internship opportunity is worth it or not to applying for your dream university course, our educational counsellors are here to help students at every step of their education journey.

All you have to do is book your counselling session today to get started!