Navigating the Unpaid Internship Landscape: A Columbia University Student's Perspective
For Columbia University students, internships have become an almost mandatory step in their academic and professional journey. The pursuit of experience in their field of study often leads students to consider unpaid internships. This article explores the complexities surrounding unpaid internships, particularly from the perspective of Columbia University students, considering the legal, ethical, and practical implications.
The Allure and Necessity of Internships
In today's competitive job market, internships are highly valued by employers. A survey by Marketplace and the Chronicle of Higher Education revealed that internships are the most sought-after experience on a recent graduate's resume, surpassing high GPA or an elite alma mater. As freshman Keenan Piper notes, "It’s almost as required as the core classes here. If you’re not taking internships over the summer, you’re just getting behind." Piper, like many other students, plans to undertake a research internship, potentially unpaid, to gain valuable experience.
Junior Ethan Ling's experience highlights the pressure to gain experience, even if it means working for free. After an unpaid summer internship at a venture capital firm, he secured a paid position in Hong Kong. "I just had to do it just to beef up my resume," Ling says. "I think in the job market you just have to do what you have to do to get a job at the end of the day."
The Ethical Dilemma of Unpaid Labor
While internships offer valuable experience, the prevalence of unpaid positions raises ethical concerns. Freshman Brittney Wade expresses her discomfort with the idea of unpaid labor, stating, "I tend to sort of breeze over the ones that don’t pay, because I don’t think it’s really fair. Yes, we’re doing it for an experience, and that is valuable to us, but I don’t think there should be free labor enforced when it comes to internships."
Mikey Franklin, founder of the Fair Pay Campaign, argues that unpaid internships discriminate against those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. "Any time you post an ad for an unpaid internship, you’re writing ‘Poor people need not apply’ in big letters at the top," Franklin says.
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Legal Considerations and the Shift Towards Paid Internships
Recent legal challenges have forced employers to reconsider their internship policies. A federal judge ruled that Fox Searchlight Pictures violated the law by failing to pay interns who performed the work of paid employees. This ruling, along with lawsuits against companies like Condé Nast, has spurred a move towards paid internships. While some companies, such as Viacom and the New York Times, have opted to pay interns at least minimum wage, others have eliminated their internship programs altogether.
Peter Sterne, a senior at Columbia University, acknowledges the unfair advantage he had due to his ability to afford unpaid internships. As more companies begin to offer paid internships, he anticipates increased competition for these positions. "It’s going to be more difficult to get an internship," he says. "If they have to pay minimum wage, then it’s going to be much more selective."
Columbia University's Response
Columbia University has taken steps to address the concerns surrounding unpaid internships. The university previously offered academic credit for internships, a practice that has come under scrutiny. Senior Peter Sterne notes that "All that Columbia giving this credit did was enable employers to offer unpaid internships and say that, ‘Well they get credit, so it must be legal.’" Recently, Columbia announced it would no longer give its undergraduates credit for internships, signaling a shift towards greater oversight.
When he became executive director of Columbia’s Earth Institute, he ended the practice of unpaid internships. An organization with a budget of over $100 million a year could afford the costs of paid internships. In fact, we added to the number of students we hired. I’ve done the same thing as vice dean of Columbia’s School of Professional Studies.
The Value of Internships and the Role of Universities
Despite the ethical and legal debates, internships remain valuable opportunities for students to gain experience, develop professional networks, and explore career paths. Studies suggest that internships increase students' chances of identifying a suitable career, securing employment, and earning higher pay.
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Universities play a crucial role in facilitating internships and ensuring that students are not exploited. They can provide resources, guidance, and oversight to help students find meaningful and ethical internship experiences. Some universities, like Ball State University, have adopted hands-on approaches to assisting students with internships.
Navigating the Complexities: Advice for Columbia Students
For Columbia University students navigating the internship landscape, it's essential to be aware of the legal and ethical considerations surrounding unpaid work. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Understand your rights: Familiarize yourself with labor laws and regulations regarding internships. If you believe you are being asked to perform the work of a paid employee without compensation, seek legal advice. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission do not apply to them. Right now, unpaid interns are protected against sexual harassment only in places that have proactively closed this legal loophole - Oregon, Washington D.C. and New York City.
- Evaluate the benefits: Carefully consider the potential benefits of an unpaid internship, such as gaining valuable experience, developing skills, and building professional connections.
- Assess your financial situation: Determine whether you can afford to work without pay, taking into account living expenses, transportation costs, and other financial obligations. A study conducted by Lending Tree found that 47 percent of unpaid interns took on debt to complete their internship; the study found that Black and Latinx unpaid interns were more likely than their white peers to do so. According to the Lending Tree study, 60 percent of unpaid interns had to work a second job to make ends meet. “Being unpaid places an additional burden not just on me, but my family as well.
- Seek guidance from the ISSO: International students should consult with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to ensure they have the necessary work authorization for any internship, paid or unpaid. The ISSO can authorize Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for both paid and unpaid positions. If you are receiving any type of compensation, or the prospective position does not meet the unpaid internship criteria, you must obtain work permission (CPT, OPT, AT) if eligible. DOL considers the following factors in determining whether an intern is the "primary beneficiary" of the intern-employer relationship or is, in fact, an employee and should be paid.
- Explore alternative options: Consider paid internships, part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to gain experience and develop your skills.
- Advocate for fair labor practices: Support organizations and initiatives that promote paid internships and advocate for fair labor practices.
The Future of Internships
The debate surrounding unpaid internships is ongoing. While some argue that they provide valuable opportunities for students, others contend that they are exploitative and perpetuate inequality. As legal challenges and ethical concerns continue to mount, it is likely that the trend towards paid internships will continue.
The Biden administration has taken a significant step by providing pay for White House interns. This move sets a positive example and highlights the importance of compensating interns for their work. The administration should be applauded for taking the important step in paying their own interns. They should take another step and provide funding for paid internships throughout the federal government and provide resources to state and local governments to do the same.
Universities, employers, and policymakers must work together to create a fair and equitable internship system that provides all students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience without being exploited.
Read also: Paying for Columbia
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