Recent ponderings of what state the American economy is in may finally be greeted with a hopeful answer. The latest studies confirm that the United States is slowly beginning to climb out of financial despair. “Recent data, including the July 31 report on second-quarter real gross domestic product, make a strong case that the economy hit bottom last quarter and an upturn is already under way” (Cooper). Ears perk up around the country, like those of cats hunting in the jungle of opportunity that is the job market. But before the unemployed can get back on the prowl, the ever-present reluctance to hire must be taken into account. Now more than ever, the unpaid internship is key for long-term career planning.
The prime reason that unpaid internships successfully work is that they mutually benefit both the institution and the intern. Any rational-thinking company would muse, ‘We can get free labour for a good amount of time from someone who’s eager to prove their worth in the workforce, a practically guaranteed asset. Why wouldn’t we take it?’
The question seems simple enough. As a stubborn hopeful for an upcoming summer internship, applying to oodles of locations and not hearing any responses, I was starting to get frustrated. My thoughts drifted, slightly aggravated, to a recent conversation with a knowledgeable companion. He declared that many corporations who advertise positions needed only do so to meet federal hiring regulations and have no intention of accepting anyone new, employee or intern. I pondered how this could be, and the only logical explanation that came to me was that some interns take more time and effort to train than the eventual worth of their contributions. But could the training of a few interns really be significantly detrimental to a company’s weekly routine? And what about the interns who would need little to no training, who already have an impressive amount of quality careers on their resume? In any case, even unpaid interns were not heeded much attention to be hired. Until recently that is.
Thankfully for those of us who are on the internship prowl, they are the one type of employment that’s starting to rise again. “[…] with the economy still in the doldrums, companies again are opting for unpaid or low-paid internships to get the extra work done” (Chura). Because there is almost always some extra work to be done in the office, interns not only fix this problem but, for the desire to gain as much experience as possible, are more than willing to help out wherever needed. Some employers do thankfully see the benefits interns bring in without taking cash out. “’It is a brilliant, recession-proof way to double your work force,’ said Drew McLellan, whose McLellan Marketing Group in Des Moines has long hired unpaid interns. ‘It’s more money to the bottom line for you.’” (Chura). The win-win situation that is offered for the unpaid intern includes invaluable learning experience in multiple areas that will inevitably result from all the different tasks presented to him.
Yet another benefit to interns’ employers is one that is often overlooked. By taking the time to hire an intern, and train them if need be, employers may be increasing their chances of securing a well-rounded future employee. Many interns become very satisfied and comfortable with their company of work and decide to stay with that company to pursue their careers. Idan Koren, a recent Duke graduate, interned with Goldman Sachs two summers ago and is extremely grateful for the experience. He is now an entrepreneur working in stocks and bonds with the skills he learned from Goldman’s, while his twin sister found her desired career in her first internship. “My sister majored in graphic design and got an internship with MTV. Now she works there as a graphic designer and found just what she wanted career-wise” (Koren). Internships may arguably be the best way for employers to witness hard work, smarts, dedication, and talent in a potential employee firsthand to decide if hiring them later would be a smart move.
Because the unpaid internship relies a variety of benefits to employer and intern, it’s pertinent that it continues to guide the economy back on its feet. Thankfully the workforce jungle can at least be navigated more easily for these employees. Internships are a guaranteed way to aid establishments in building a livelier and ultimately more productive atmosphere.
Word Count: 733
Works Cited:
Cooper, James C. “The Beginning of the End of the Recession?”
Bloomberg Business Week. 31 Jul. 2009. Bloomberg.com
Chura, Hillary. “Hiring Is Rising in One Area: Low-Paid Interns.” The New York Times.
27 Nov. 2009. NYTimes.com
< http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/your-money/28interns.html?r=2&pagewanted=1>
Koren, Idan. Aug. 2008.
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