Who said Unpaid Can’t Pay?

Hi again! My name is Jean Alban, I am interning at College Glasses in South Philly & I am blogging once again to SMC students, this time in regards to unpaid internships.

I encourage each and every one of you who are searching for internship opportunities to apply to all of them, paid and unpaid.

If you happen to snag that unusual paid internship that’s great, but that does not mean that an unpaid internship can’t turn into one! Unless you are graduated or have tons of experience under your belt, I don’t think an unpaid internship is for  you, but if you have minimal experience, then why not take it? I hope with my advice, students will have a different outlook on unpaid internships.

I began my search before this past summer for internships, both paid and unpaid. I interviewed at a couple places, chose one that was unpaid but I took it because I believed I would gain more out of it. All I wanted was to learn and gain experience, especially because I would be working directly with a Creative Director! I was excited to accept the internship position as a Creative Intern and was ready to take any task.

I have been there for 8 months now. It started out unpaid, they began paying me a little after one month of being there, and now want me to stay on board after I graduate in May.

If there is a will there is a way! So with that said, keep searching for the right internship for you. Do your research on the company and make sure you like the one you choose. If you like the people you are working with and enjoy what you’re doing, you’re going to produce better work and at the end of the day it will all be worth it.

Best,

Jean A.