Story of An Unpaid Intern

Case Study 1

Q. Was it the right decision for David to leave the internship – what do you think? What
would you have done if you were in his place?

Ans/- Although the internship program of United Nations was a very reputed and promising
one, I think, David Hyde, 22, did the right thing by leaving it. Firstly because the internship
was unpaid. Secondly, his internship was in the Swiss city of Geneva, the 6 th most expensive
city in the world, where he was unable to afford rent expenses and as a result was forced to
live in a tent. David used to fold his belongings in a backpack and keep it under his desk.
David, being brought up by western culture, refused to take help form his parents as well.
The program did not provide any kind of pay, transport assistance, housing or medical care.
But the only promising fact was UN certificate to be received after completion of the
program (which would allow good opportunities in future). In such circumstances, it was
very tough to continue the program. That’s why I think David did right by leaving it.

If I was in his place, I would have first done a study on the travelling expenses and
living expenses in Geneva and considered the benefits provided by UN Internship program
i.e. a cost benefit analysis. And as it is an unpaid internship, I would not have joined the
program in the first place. I think, there is no equality in terms of pay, as interns in some
regions of UN agency are paid and some are not. Besides, when I will be working, I will be
giving my best so I expect to be rewarded accordingly. The reputation, recognition are
definitely desired for but other factors such as pay, living conditions are important too for my
consideration. So whatever it is, I am not in favour of any unpaid internship programs.
 Glamorous Internships? Or House Elves?

Case Study 2

Q1. What do employers receive from summer interns? What returns (if any) do students get
from the opportunities?

Ans/- The summer interns are usually given an overall brief idea about all the activities
performed by different departments of the organisation. Employers receive any new skill
possessed by the intern but only up to the time of internship period time. Sometimes if the
intern’s work is highly appreciated then the intern may be hired full time as well. In many
organisations, interns are made to take the work load of a full time employee but are paid
very little or not at all. So in that perspective employers save money which the company may
have paid its’ permanent employee.

Interns receive returns in different forms from the opportunity. They get the chance to
relate their academic knowledge with practical business world. They learn about the
sector/field/industry, new skills, corporate behaviour. They get experience, gain valuable
networking contacts, reference for future job opportunities, meet peers with similar interest
and lastly many organisations pay stipends or salary (may it be of small magnitude or large)
and other benefits like TA/DA etc.

Q2. Should summer interns be paid? If yes, how much? How would you recommend that an
employer decide the answers to both these questions?

Ans/- Yes, I think summer interns should be paid. The amount to be paid will vary from
organisation type to work load and many other factors.

An employer should consider the following things before deciding answer to both the
questions i.e. whether to pay the intern or not, or how much to pay:

1. Type of work load the intern is to go through

2. The industry the company is in
3. Working hours
4. Expectations of intern
Q3. What added information would you like to have before you make recommendations?
How would you use this information?

Ans/- Added information such as current market pay for such internship programs, living
standards in the city, supply of candidates in the market. Also I would need to know what
type of business the organisation is doing before making any recommendations. Using all
these information and the one’s mentioned in previous answer, a compensation package will
be developed that is in line with business policies and competitive, so that both employers’
and intern’s interest are justified.

Q4. What are the ethical issues surrounding the use of interns? Where do you come out on
these issues?

Ans/- Some ethical issues surrounding the use of interns are that – many companies do not
pay their interns. This is not perceived to be fair by many although reputation and future job
prospects are good in such companies once internship is done. Some other issues are many
organisations give huge work load to interns compared to the amount of experience they
have. On the other hand, many organisations do not give any work at all thinking interns
might screw up – so there happens to be inefficient use of labour.

I personally think that, unpaid internship is not fair. Interns should be paid at least
paid something so that their basic mobility costs and lunch costs are recovered. On the other
hand interns should neither be left to sit idle nor should have huge work load. They should be
assigned with tasks that will help them gain practical knowledge and develop themselves.
Interns can then by doing their jobs well gain network contacts and future job opportunities.

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