Once upon a time internships were seen as being for students and young graduates who were looking to make the first step on the career ladder. However, these days everyone can apply for an internship, from school pupils, to people who are established in their field, and even those that want to make a career change.
But, as internships have become more popular, they have also become the focus of media attention and political scrutiny. Just how valuable are internships in the 21st century? And perhaps most importantly, should interns be paid?
Internships then
Traditionally, interns were unpaid workers and were typically young people looking for their first break in a chosen career. If an internship went well, then the intern would be given the chance to become a full-time member of staff, such as an office junior, a trainee journalist or a management trainee. The new job role was the reward for working hard for no pay or travel expenses.
Internships now
In recent years, attitudes towards internships have shifted significantly – while companies still use interns, the chances of an intern being kept on after their internship has come to an end are slimmer. There are many reasons for this, but the biggest one is money, as a lot of companies cannot afford to take on extra staff due to the current economic climate.
The law on internships
However, as attitudes towards internships have changed, so has the culture of internships. Paid internships are starting to become the norm, with the exception of certain sectors and specialisms. Thanks to the UK government and lobbying groups such as Intern Aware, unpaid internships are not only falling out of favour with the general population, but if an intern is classed as a ‘worker’ then, by law, they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
So, what should you do?
Internships can be an extremely valuable tool in today’s competitive job market, as experience is the number one skill that employers look for in a job candidate. Having the relevant skills shows that you are dedicated and passionate about your chosen career and an internship could help introduce you to the right people in your field.
There is a very clear argument for the continuing use of internships in almost every sector, but jobseekers need to be aware of their rights when applying for a role as an intern. If you’re unsure about choosing an internship, then have a look at the opportunities on our job boards and see what’s available.
Images by Will Folsom and Matthew Hurst shared under a Creative Commons Licence.