Unpaid internships have often been considered an invaluable opportunity to gain work-related experience while networking with potential employers. Many people feel that, if done right, unpaid internships can be an excellent way to take the first step on the professional ladder. Conversely, others may consider them to be exploitative for the interns, who are asked to do a lot of work for no financial compensation. To help B1-level students understand the advantages and disadvantages of unpaid internships, here is a look at some pros and cons and resources from which they can gather relevant information.

Pros

• Unpaid internships often provide many benefits that are not always associated with other types of entry-level positions. These can include an insiders’ view of an industry and the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals.

• Unpaid internships are often excellent ways to diversify one’s professional skill-set, as they allow people to gain experience in a different field of work than they may have previously been familiar with.

• Unpaid internships can provide valuable references and contacts that can come in handy in the future.

Cons

• There is often a lack of regulation in unpaid internships. This can mean that workers are not provided with any mentoring or guidance, and may also be required to take on tasks that are unrelated to their experience or career goals.

• Unpaid interns may also be asked to work long hours, with no overtime compensation.

• Unpaid internships can also be exploitative, as the work is potentially being done with no remuneration.

Resources

• Intern Bridge: www.internbridge.com

• CareerBuilder: https://www.careerbuilder.com

• Internship Finder: https://www.internships.com

• The Balance Careers: https://www.thebalancecareers.com

In conclusion, unpaid internships can be a great way to gain valuable experience and contacts, but they are not without their drawbacks. In order to decide if an unpaid internship is the right move, it is a good idea to do one’s research and explore the resources provided above.