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| Intern fees 'salt in the wound' | Intern fees 'salt in the wound' |
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| Job-hunting university leavers are being warned against paying for services to help get them internships. | Job-hunting university leavers are being warned against paying for services to help get them internships. |
| A university careers adviser says it is "rubbing salt in the wound" to ask students to pay to find internships for which they will not even be paid. | A university careers adviser says it is "rubbing salt in the wound" to ask students to pay to find internships for which they will not even be paid. |
| There are websites charging hundreds of pounds for letters of introduction for internships. | There are websites charging hundreds of pounds for letters of introduction for internships. |
| There are warnings the UK could follow the US example where wealthy parents can buy internships for their children. | There are warnings the UK could follow the US example where wealthy parents can buy internships for their children. |
| In a recent charity auction in the UK, work experience in the media was offered alongside a range of showbusiness prizes. | In a recent charity auction in the UK, work experience in the media was offered alongside a range of showbusiness prizes. |
| 'Fear and doubt' | 'Fear and doubt' |
| Alex Try, author of the blog Interns Anonymous, says an industry seems to be growing up around internships - and that a "climate of fear" can stop graduates from talking openly about their experiences. | Alex Try, author of the blog Interns Anonymous, says an industry seems to be growing up around internships - and that a "climate of fear" can stop graduates from talking openly about their experiences. |
| It's not all a rip-off - it's what you can get out of it. But many people are being taken for a ride. After three months they'll be replaced by another equally well-qualified, unpaid intern Alex Try, Interns Anonymous | It's not all a rip-off - it's what you can get out of it. But many people are being taken for a ride. After three months they'll be replaced by another equally well-qualified, unpaid intern Alex Try, Interns Anonymous |
| The director of the National Council for Work Experience, Heather Collier, says there is "definitely a problem that needs sorting out" about internships - particularly over when they should really be paid at least the minimum wage. | The director of the National Council for Work Experience, Heather Collier, says there is "definitely a problem that needs sorting out" about internships - particularly over when they should really be paid at least the minimum wage. |
| Students facing a tough jobs market are increasingly worrying not just about getting good degree grades, but also gaining the right work experience. | Students facing a tough jobs market are increasingly worrying not just about getting good degree grades, but also gaining the right work experience. |
| And there are concerns that instead of opening doors, these stretches of unpaid work could become commodities acquired by more affluent students, enabling them to access the most sought-after jobs. | And there are concerns that instead of opening doors, these stretches of unpaid work could become commodities acquired by more affluent students, enabling them to access the most sought-after jobs. |
| The director of Oxford University's career service, Jonathan Black, says there has been a growth in companies trying to make money from internships. | The director of Oxford University's career service, Jonathan Black, says there has been a growth in companies trying to make money from internships. |
| They are playing on "fear, uncertainty and doubt", he says. | They are playing on "fear, uncertainty and doubt", he says. |
| Mr Black says careers services have been trying to rebuff attempts to sell services to students when careers advisers can arrange internships for them without any charge. | Mr Black says careers services have been trying to rebuff attempts to sell services to students when careers advisers can arrange internships for them without any charge. |
| All work and no pay | All work and no pay |
| These services can include charging hundreds of pounds for introductory letters - and Mr Black says he has heard of fees up to £1,000. | These services can include charging hundreds of pounds for introductory letters - and Mr Black says he has heard of fees up to £1,000. |
| Alan Milburn's report warned internships blocked social mobility | Alan Milburn's report warned internships blocked social mobility |
| In particular, Mr Black says it is unfair for vulnerable students who are worried about needing "an extra edge". | In particular, Mr Black says it is unfair for vulnerable students who are worried about needing "an extra edge". |
| And he warns that introducing a financial barrier to getting internships could have a "huge impact on diversity": perpetuating the longstanding lack of social mobility in the UK. | And he warns that introducing a financial barrier to getting internships could have a "huge impact on diversity": perpetuating the longstanding lack of social mobility in the UK. |
| Targeting people wanting to get into industries such as investment banking and financial services, there are offers to write internship applications, re-write CVs, prepare answers and rehearse interviews - with fees of £100 to £250 for each stage of the process. | Targeting people wanting to get into industries such as investment banking and financial services, there are offers to write internship applications, re-write CVs, prepare answers and rehearse interviews - with fees of £100 to £250 for each stage of the process. |
| Katie Dallison, careers adviser at Goldsmiths, University of London, says careers offices are being "contacted frequently by these types of companies". | Katie Dallison, careers adviser at Goldsmiths, University of London, says careers offices are being "contacted frequently by these types of companies". |
| "I think it's hard enough that students have to work for free, often full time for months. | "I think it's hard enough that students have to work for free, often full time for months. |
| "Paying for this privilege is really just rubbing salt into the wound. However, realistically, it's very competitive out there and many students will make large sacrifices to gain experience." | "Paying for this privilege is really just rubbing salt into the wound. However, realistically, it's very competitive out there and many students will make large sacrifices to gain experience." |
| Social mobility | Social mobility |
| A report into social mobility by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn highlighted internships as an obstacle for young people without social connections. | A report into social mobility by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn highlighted internships as an obstacle for young people without social connections. |
| Internships have become part of the jobhunting process | Internships have become part of the jobhunting process |
| The report argued that the networking skills of middle class parents helped them find internships for their children - and they can also afford to keep their children in unpaid work. | The report argued that the networking skills of middle class parents helped them find internships for their children - and they can also afford to keep their children in unpaid work. |
| There are worries that even though young people might compete on a level playing field in the exam hall, the internship system creates another layer of privilege. | There are worries that even though young people might compete on a level playing field in the exam hall, the internship system creates another layer of privilege. |
| The government has sought to match job-hunters with internships that are available - with a free service called the Graduate Talent Pool. | The government has sought to match job-hunters with internships that are available - with a free service called the Graduate Talent Pool. |
| But Heather Collier of the National Council for Work Experience questions whether some of the unpaid internships on offer might really be seen as jobs. | But Heather Collier of the National Council for Work Experience questions whether some of the unpaid internships on offer might really be seen as jobs. |
| And on other jobs websites, a quick search for internships finds many requests for full-time, well-qualified staff, who would be expected to work for several months without pay. | And on other jobs websites, a quick search for internships finds many requests for full-time, well-qualified staff, who would be expected to work for several months without pay. |
| 'Expendable commodity' | 'Expendable commodity' |
| For those who are at the sharp end of internships, there can be mixed feelings. | For those who are at the sharp end of internships, there can be mixed feelings. |
| Alex Try is one of the co-founders of the Interns Anonymous website - which he says was set up to share the experiences of individuals working in companies, sometimes for many months, without being paid. | Alex Try is one of the co-founders of the Interns Anonymous website - which he says was set up to share the experiences of individuals working in companies, sometimes for many months, without being paid. |
| "It's a really strange phenomenon - it's almost an unspoken understanding that you'll do unpaid work," he says. | "It's a really strange phenomenon - it's almost an unspoken understanding that you'll do unpaid work," he says. |
| Young people in this situation are made to feel like "expendable commodities", he says. | Young people in this situation are made to feel like "expendable commodities", he says. |
| Even though they are working without pay, he says interns are "scared to kick up a fuss... employers are in such a position of power". | Even though they are working without pay, he says interns are "scared to kick up a fuss... employers are in such a position of power". |
| "Some internships are good and are passages to decent jobs, but most are unregulated and with no guarantees, based on the assumption that you can work for free and live in London," he says. | "Some internships are good and are passages to decent jobs, but most are unregulated and with no guarantees, based on the assumption that you can work for free and live in London," he says. |
| "They are actually jobs - working nine to five, not shadowing anyone because no-one else is doing their jobs," he says. | "They are actually jobs - working nine to five, not shadowing anyone because no-one else is doing their jobs," he says. |
| People contacting the blog have claimed that some recession-hit companies are cutting paid staff and replacing them with unpaid interns. | People contacting the blog have claimed that some recession-hit companies are cutting paid staff and replacing them with unpaid interns. |
| "It's not all a rip-off - it's what you can get out of it. But many people are being taken for a ride. | "It's not all a rip-off - it's what you can get out of it. But many people are being taken for a ride. |
| "After three months they'll be replaced by another equally well-qualified, unpaid intern." | "After three months they'll be replaced by another equally well-qualified, unpaid intern." |
| And he says there are horror stories - such as an intern who travelled to a PR job in London from Slough every day at her own expense. | And he says there are horror stories - such as an intern who travelled to a PR job in London from Slough every day at her own expense. |
| "They dangled the carrot of a job, but at the end of the seven months it disappeared," he said. | "They dangled the carrot of a job, but at the end of the seven months it disappeared," he said. |
| To send comments please use the form below. | To send comments please use the form below. |
| The idea is that opening up universities is the way to social mobility - but it isn't; opening up internships is. The problem which I have faced is not just getting an internship or work experience but paying bills while one does the work. How are self-funded or low income family students to enter fields like law and journalism (two examples I know of) where stints at unpaid internships are an unofficial prerequisite for a career? It's all well and good getting into university but if you cannot use your degree and follow you chosen career path, one must ask what is the point? Katie, United Kingdom | The idea is that opening up universities is the way to social mobility - but it isn't; opening up internships is. The problem which I have faced is not just getting an internship or work experience but paying bills while one does the work. How are self-funded or low income family students to enter fields like law and journalism (two examples I know of) where stints at unpaid internships are an unofficial prerequisite for a career? It's all well and good getting into university but if you cannot use your degree and follow you chosen career path, one must ask what is the point? Katie, United Kingdom |
| This is the thin end of a very nasty wedge and must be stopped. Work for free ? What sort of insult is that.Graham, Cambridge | This is the thin end of a very nasty wedge and must be stopped. Work for free ? What sort of insult is that.Graham, Cambridge |
| It is clear to me that these internships are just another form of exploitation. The fact that some companies are charging vulnerable students hundreds of pounds just to get them an unpaid internship is a disgrace. If internships were all short-term, regulated, and more effective then it wouldn't be so bad but really the interns are just getting exploited and are being used to undercut paid staff who are subsequently laid off. It's a disgrace. Ian Nelson, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire | It is clear to me that these internships are just another form of exploitation. The fact that some companies are charging vulnerable students hundreds of pounds just to get them an unpaid internship is a disgrace. If internships were all short-term, regulated, and more effective then it wouldn't be so bad but really the interns are just getting exploited and are being used to undercut paid staff who are subsequently laid off. It's a disgrace. Ian Nelson, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire |
| The significant increase in unpaid internships, particularly where there would be any abuse by unscrupulous employers and unethical nepotism by employees in position of influence, does bring the following into disrepute: attending any British university for career progression; social mobility in Britain; British business; areas of British economy responsible for ensuring the health of its GDP; and above all avoiding Britain's brain drain. Col, Dorking | The significant increase in unpaid internships, particularly where there would be any abuse by unscrupulous employers and unethical nepotism by employees in position of influence, does bring the following into disrepute: attending any British university for career progression; social mobility in Britain; British business; areas of British economy responsible for ensuring the health of its GDP; and above all avoiding Britain's brain drain. Col, Dorking |
| In law and journalism, at least, the internships are usually no more than a week at a time; and you'll usually be doing them during your studies if you're sufficiently switched on! More worrying is the trend in PR/advertising where these can last for months. The question is what can really be done about it? As an employer you're going to jump at the chance of having a free worker for 6 months; not only as a money saver short term but to gauge someone's potential over more than a couple of interview days. If regs are put in place to stop these companies offering long unpaid internships there's nothing to stop a rich dad just approaching the company direct and offering their graduate daughter as free labour...Charlie, Twickenham, London | In law and journalism, at least, the internships are usually no more than a week at a time; and you'll usually be doing them during your studies if you're sufficiently switched on! More worrying is the trend in PR/advertising where these can last for months. The question is what can really be done about it? As an employer you're going to jump at the chance of having a free worker for 6 months; not only as a money saver short term but to gauge someone's potential over more than a couple of interview days. If regs are put in place to stop these companies offering long unpaid internships there's nothing to stop a rich dad just approaching the company direct and offering their graduate daughter as free labour...Charlie, Twickenham, London |
| After university, students are expected to get good grades, interview for jobs and then start their career but the need for experience is so hard nowadays. Part of me is wondering if I had the correct work experience I could have started my career on the right foot.Ian , UK | After university, students are expected to get good grades, interview for jobs and then start their career but the need for experience is so hard nowadays. Part of me is wondering if I had the correct work experience I could have started my career on the right foot.Ian , UK |
| The fact that an industry has grown up offering this service is a sign that degrees are so common place, employers now need a more advanced method of selecting potential employees. More emphasis should be placed on making sure that students get this necessary work experience at school and during university. This is a service that the university careers office should be offering.Richard, Plymouth | The fact that an industry has grown up offering this service is a sign that degrees are so common place, employers now need a more advanced method of selecting potential employees. More emphasis should be placed on making sure that students get this necessary work experience at school and during university. This is a service that the university careers office should be offering.Richard, Plymouth |
| This also happens in other countries. A dear friend from France stayed two and a half months with us, interning in our business. We absolutely refused to allow her to pay anything for her stay, but wouldn't let us pay her either! we gave her a Mentor, training etc. Her friends in France all had to pay their own way and not receive a salary. I was appalled for her, appalled when I read the same occurs in politics here too and appalled this hidden 'slave labour' as 'work experience'. Why isn't the full weight of employment law brought to bear? These highly qualified, intelligent people deserve a decent rate of pay and decent working conditions. It's an absolute disgrace they are being held to ransom for having aspirations and a desire to learn. Students are already saddled by huge debt I think there should be an internship allowance which should include assistance with travel and accommodation. Education should be for all, not dependent on the wealth or connections of a family. An appalling state of affairs that should be addressed immediately-these young people are our future-how dare they be treated this way! Jen Ballington-James, Folkestone | |
| Westminster itself is amongst the worst offenders when it comes to exploiting unpaid interns; MPs have generous office allowances but more often then not use a steady stream of unpaid interns to staff their parliamentary offices. This is exploitative of young people, but also ensures that work experience in our country's parliament is reserved for privileged middleclass young people whose parents can pay for them to live and work in London for no pay. It is ironic that MPs complain about being paid 'peanuts' when the often don't pay their young interns at all!Adam, London | |
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