IT’S TIME FOR SOLIDARITY, SAYS STUDENT
If young people really want to see an end to unpaid internships, they must all refuse to work for free whatever their economic background, it has been suggested.
Libby Page, a serial intern now in her final year studying journalism at the London College of Fashion, also appeared to suggest that by continuing to agree to do unpaid internships, wealthier graduates were selfishly locking out their poorer peers from the most competitive professional industries. In a post for the Guardian’s Blogging Students, Libby described how after seven unpaid internships she had finally run out of money and had enough of working for free:
“Government support is essential in bringing an end to the epidemic of unpaid working, but interns have a role to play too.
“…When I talk to students about unpaid internships, one common response is: ‘But I don’t mind working for free.’ What I hear is: ‘I can afford to work for free.’
“…If I were to take on unpaid work now, I would be very aware that, by doing so, I am not just saying that I don’t deserve a wage, but that my peers and friends don’t either.
“For every person who can work for free, there are so many who simply cannot afford to. This means that they are being shut out of many careers where internships are an essential part of your CV.
“..Students and graduates need to stand firm on this issue. We may not have the benefit of paid employment, but we do have voices, and we should be using them.”
At Graduate Fog, we never blame graduates for taking unpaid internships — we know you only do it because you feel you have no choice.
We also feel it can be dangerous to make this issue one of “rich grads v poor grads” as that is too simplistic. Many of you tell us you can afford to work for a month unpaid, but not three. Or three months, but not six). Worse still, pitting graduates against each other distracts everyone from the fact that it is the employers who are the bad guys here, not graduates who take these unpaid internships (or even their parents who may help set them up, as Deputy PM Nick Clegg believes).
Or do you think we’re being too soft on graduates who take unpaid internshps? Does Libby have a point — that the time has come for graduates to help themselves – and show greater solidarity among graduates from all economic backgrounds? After all, if you all simply refused to work for free, surely the would the problem be solved instantly. Or do you think Libby is only attacking those who take unpaid internships now because she’s run out of money and can’t afford to work for free anymore?
It is always going to happen. Why should rich grads lose out on a chance to do something just because someone else cannot afford to do it. Would a rich kid not buy an Ipad because his poorer friend could not? Of course not. Just because it is not right that the rich kids should work for free, doesn’t mean they will not if they can afford to.
I don’t blame people for making the use of the opportunities have. Sure I’m jealous and would love to have had the opportunities that they’ve had, but at the same time, even in grim(ish) circumstances here, I’ve won the lottery of life compared to a good 70% of the world and, frankly from their point of view, it would be self indulgent in the extreme to even attempt to do the things that I do.
I know poor people working for free and studying for masters degrees. I have no idea how they live, I reckon they are using credit. I am amazed at the number of students and graduates able to afford round the world trips too.
I agree with Jacob, I don’t think it’s fair to blame people for making use of opportunities available to them. In this job market, where most graduates are struggling to get onto the professional career ladder (or even to get any job at all, in many cases), I think it’s understandable people will do what they can to improve their prospects. What is really needed is a strong and unified stance on this by the government and the various relevant offices. Their legislating against something and then ignoring the widespread disregard for the legislation is what caused the growth of unpaid internships, not the fact that some graduates have the ability to work unpaid for three months.
I’m really struggling to follow this logic. Being against graduates taking unpaid internships is creating a ‘rich grad vs poor grad’ situation? Is it not the fact that graduates are taking these internships in the first place which is creating this situation and widening the gap between those who have and those who have not??
I believe that in order to stand together on this, we need to look out for one another and part of doing that is refusing to do unpaid internships for commercial companies. I DO hold graduates responsible for their part in bringing these companies to justice.
To be honest, I’m getting a bit tired of people saying that they don’t blame graduates for making the most of the opportunities available to them. If you are contributing to other people’s disadvantage (I would argue that taking an unpaid internship is allowing this system to continue), you’re not helping. This should not be an every man for himself situation – we need to stamp out unpaid internships TOGETHER.
Sarah, I have to disagree completely with your view. In fact, I would go so far to say it is an extremely naive view. Why would someone with a lot of money, who can afford to work for months at a time unpaid, care about someone who would struggle or not be able to do the same? I mean sure you can think about conscience etc… but in reality, the world just doesn’t work like that. Businesses are here to make money. If they can get away with not paying (underpaying) someone, and someone is willing to work for free, then they will. I am not saying it is right. I am just saying how it is.
It took me a long time to realise this.
Until there is a law passed making it illegal to do so then rich kids will take full advantage of these opportunities. They should do as well. I wish I could have afforded to do a countless number of internships.
If you are good, you will get paid anyway. I know a huge number of people who have entered very well paid, year long internships on very good wages. One guy in fact cleared his entire uni debt and then still had money to burn. They are available, you just have to be the best.
“After all, if you all simply refused to work for free, surely the would the problem be solved instantly.”
I really don’t like your tone on this, Tanya. It’s disrespectful to those who might have a different point of view. OF COURSE the situation wouldn’t be solved instantly if graduates stopped doing unpaid internships. But the fact that so many of them DO take them is giving these huge companies the impression that it’s absolutely fine for them to keep doing this. If graduates stopped taking them, that doesn’t mean all of a sudden there would be jobs for all. It means they would be forced into providing a better system. Flexible work experience, more compensation, more part-time jobs… or they could just be greedy, close their doors and slowly sink for lack of talented staff!
“Or do you think Libby is only attacking those who take unpaid internships now because she’s run out of money and can’t afford to work for free anymore?”
Seven internships does seem a lot to have only just realised what a problem it is, but I applaud her for making this decision. She seems to have realised that her choices may have shut the door for other people and she’s decided to stop.
Jamie: Telling me that “that’s the way the world is” doesn’t change anything. I can see that many, many graduates are happy to trample on those less fortunate on the way to the top. I can see that big businesses will absolutely try and get away with not paying their staff if they can help it. But it’s not naive to suggest that things COULD be different. Perhaps if more people stopped saying “that’s the way the world is” and started doing something, we’d be a lot further along than we are now!
We would not though, because there will ALWAYS be someone willing to trample or do anything they can to get ahead.
As I mentioned before, until there is a CHANGE in the law nothing will change.
Jamie: Well, perhaps you’re right and I sincerely hope there is a change in the law. But I do still have faith in people to think of each other and do the right thing – I managed to get a job I love without stepping on anybody else. It was hard and horrible at times but I managed it. I want it to be easier for others to do the same – stamping out unpaid internships and encouraging people to support and have faith in each other is a start.
I’ll be honest after 2.5 years of straight unemployment, occasional temp jobs and these days just pure desperation of finding any way to make a living somehow and be independent, if I could afford an internship with the vague hope of a job coming from it I’d take it tomorrow. So no, I don’t blame anybody at all. Everyone will use what skills they have and what advantages they can get, whether it be through interning, through volunteering, through doing expensive further education.
@Jaime.
I don’t think is naive to believe the best in people; you get too sad otherwise! 🙂 But then if enough people claim back their pay and request paid jobs, we would have a better chance.
As this applies to UK, we still live in a democracy of some kind, so perhaps we should be putting more pressure on government and voting or at least spoiling voting ballots (if we don’t think the vote will make a difference) if we want issues like unpaid interships to change and have better laws? As people vote people in and out.
What sort of job are you looking for or just something that pays?
I think it is possible to try and persuade people not to take unpaid internships while also not blaming them if they make that choice. Everyone has to try and balance their own interests and the greater good and it isn’t always a simple decision.
It’s Jamie… Jaime is the female spelling…
I do not think there will be a radical change in political policy until we get a completely extreme wing government. We will then realise it is awful, but the “main” parties might act!
I am not actually looking for a job. I work full time and have done for a long time. I originally graduated in 2009(first year of top up fees) and Tanya interviewed me in regards to how hard it was to get a job!
I agree with Sarah-yes some people will always step over others to get ahead but the minority who care about the ‘bigger picture’ could become the majority as the campaign against unpaid internships increases. I think we do need a change in the law, but if/until it happens I think it is important to try and persuade young people to avoid unpaid internships. I disagree with Jamie’s view that “if you are good you’ll get paid anyway” if the company can get away without paying someone, why would they?! It’s possible an unpaid internship could lead to a paid job, but it doesn’t seem to happen often.
@Claire – When did I say it was simple…? Doing the right thing rarely is!
@Jamie. I appreciate this is late, but sorry for the misspelling. I am not sure, you suggestion would work, given a certain party views, I am not sure if a similar hot potato issue changed much? I stand by what I said before, and would add, since the hobbit has been released in the UK:
“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Gandalf”
Rich graduate are in effect paying for an experience that might help them get a job, this does have an effect on other graduates who are poor and can’t afford to do this. But then this is partly a supply and demand issue; but I don’t want to be negative and of topic
As I can’t delete my bad spellings in the post.
* youR suggestion
* negative and OFF topic