Summer Media Internship

Internships are an interesting thing. While it would be ideal for interns to be paid, I understand as to why somebody wouldn’t want to pay an intern. Hell, I wouldn’t pay an intern; As expected, perspectives will always vary. Personally, while many of my friends consider me to be quite “liberal,” I have my conservative moments (and that’s okay.) I think people need to learn to work for things because that is the way I’ve been taught and I’ve learned to develop a real appreciation of life in this way. For someone who is young and looking to enter a serious field, I believe a person really needs to prove themselves. If I hand someone a paycheck, I am going to assume that they’ll do just enough to earn that paycheck. If I tell someone I am offering them a position at a company that is meant to test their skills and understanding of a certain field and if I explain to them that through this position they will have the ability to learn and network, I think that’s a lot more exciting and encouraging then “You’ll be making $10.00 an hour working here… your hours will be .. ” Besides, by doing this, I think it’s easier to attract candidates that are actually interested and WANT to learn. By offering a paid internship, you will most likely get a variety of candidates, including those who are not really all that interested, but could probably use the cash. I feel that it’s all about sacrafice. To me, it doesn’t matter how the market is going, the market could be doing SWELL, I still wouldn’t pay my intern.  I feel that internships are an opportunity to really offer yourself to something, offer your time, offer your patience to gain some real experience and perspective.

Furthermore, in my experience, I felt it was a lot more appealing to apply for an internship that sounds more relevant and exciting in relation to what I find interesting rather then picking an internship that will pay me, knowing that it will probably be boring, dull and leave me in a pretty negative mood. I rather work for free, like I am now, at a place that I really enjoy being a part of.

I understand a different arguement for people who have troubling financial situations. But for a regular college student who is living at home, I don’t see the need for someone to be so eager to get paid.  I don’t think it’s necessary. I think people should be grateful enough that a company is willing to take in a total stranger that is at a college level, which many adults probably feel is a very immature one. I stand by my argument regarding sacrifice. We all have to make sacrafices, whether or not they involve monetary means, sacrafice is a part of life. If I see that someone wants to work for me regardless of pay, I’ll know that this person is serious, can commit themselves,  and has a good understanding of what they want.

Also, it’s always possible to be taken advantage of. It’s unfortionate when situations like this happen, but let’s be honest, anyone who is in an entry-level position in any field, regardless of whether or not they are being compensated for their work, are vulnerable to manipulation and abuse. Furthermore, sometimes it’s an individual’s responsibility to not allow themselves to be taken advantage of; You are the master of your universe and need to learn to have respect for yourself in order for others to respect you. If you are timid, paranoid, fearful, people will feed off of that and not take you very seriously. Confidence is what people want. If YOU know you’re a great person, everyone else will catch on..  🙂

“The sea’s only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don’t know much about the sea, but I do know that that’s the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.” – Into The Wild