I have a class this semester, kind of a pain in my backside, but still is a great class. The professor has this idea that “Managerial Economics is Life.” What!? Yeah, managerial economics is life. One of his main points is that you should not attend class if you have something better to do. If your opportunity costs are larger than the revenues you receive, you should not be doing what you are doing. The professor is kind of crazy, but at the same time this point holds some truth, especially when deciding on internships.
Many people have a problem: they are not being paid for an internship or research opportunity. Like stated above, if there is something more valuable to be doing you should be doing it.
Some employers think an internship means “unpaid,” but that is not always true. An internship should be a paid position. Interns typically do not receive benefits such as medical insurance, and are often paid less than a full time employee. Many organizations should pay interns for their fresh ideas and skills they bring to the organization.
We understand that there are several paid internship opportunities out there, but this is not always true. Some unpaid opportunities can give you an immense knowledge base for your future. When dealing with these situations, there are some other measures you can take to help support yourself.
CALS Career Services can help you with an unpaid internship. There is a fund set up specifically for students who need extra monetary help while participating in an internship. You can get up to $1,000 and it can cover anything from travel expenses to salary+. Email Maria McGinnis if you are interested.
You can also participate in an internship for credit. You pay for the credits, but if you are eligible for financial aid, it is a way you can get paid for your internship experience.
You can also use an internship, research or volunteering opportunity to get in the door of an organization. Perhaps, the organization uses it’s internship or volunteer program as a prolonged interview. If you find yourself in this predicament, ask if you can work fewer hours so you can get another job that is paid to support yourself.
There are many options that can make your internship, research or volunteer opportunity more worth while. These experiences are important to get a job after college, but you should get paid for what you can bring to the table as well.
