Students feel that Internships are exploitation.

[AngusHsu]

Originally Posted by manderly6

I realize there is no one size fits all answer. There are good internships and not so good ones. But, at a high level I see it like this:

1. Students pay to go to college and get the knowledge they need to get a job.
2. Interns don't get paid (but sometimes do) to get the knowledge they need to get a job.

So in that regard it isn't a bad deal. Almost like a class that you don't have to pay for.

I had a paid internship after my junior year of college. It helped a lot for emergency savings as a broke student. Unpaid internships are fine at well-known companies that let you do interesting projects. Otherwise, I rather find something paid.

[tablemtn]

What about the EXPLOITATION of taxpayers that on a state and federal level have their money taken from them by a third party...

What does that have to do with unpaid internships? All of your complaints should be aimed at the universities and their administrations, since they are the ones who set tuition prices. Students don't control those decisions - they just scramble to come up with the fees.

[Thatsright19]

As for the exploitation comment a few posts up...

I'm sure there are statistics that college educated people commit less crimes, are more involved in communities, and any number of positive things for society. So, basically, it's an investment in the quality of your society.

I really hate when an individual taxpayer complains of millions or billions of "their" money being taken. They must be making quite a lot to pay that high of a tax bill!

The point is, it might cost you a few dollars a year. Just like you pay a few dollars for fire protection or to have a sewer system.

Imagine the alternative.

[Thatsright19]

Also, if they feel so exploited, why don't the students quit? All of my internships have been paid in the accounting feild, in some cases well, but it should be an educational expirence. You should be meeting contacts, building a resume, getting confidence, talking with professionals and what have you.

If you aren't getting value at a particular place.....leave. I mean really, if it's that useless, you really have nothing to lose by spending your time more effectively.