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Are Internships Classist?
I graduated with my BA in 2019, and having come from a lower class family, I relied on financial aid and working 30+ hours a week to get through school. Now, with a sudden abundance of free time, I have applied for a few unpaid virtual internships to fill some gaps in my experience.
I expected to get many questions about my education and experience, but I kept getting the same question from interviewers, usually asked with the same assuming intonation in their voice: "Why didn't you do this while you were in college?" I don't mind explaining my background to interviewers or employers, as living in poverty truly made me the strong resourceful person I am, but I was taken aback by their default assumption that participating in an unpaid internship during college was an option. I was taking 40 credit hours, working 30 hours/week, and maintaining a 3.2 or higher GPA in my college career; the idea of devoting time in my week to something that was’t going to pay my bills is absurd.
This got me thinking, and I know I’m not alone in this, that unpaid internships are divisive, institutionalized forms of classism, and they give the financially stable students an upper hand in the job market before they even graduate. (I could extend this argument to studying abroad, but I think I’m making my point very clear.)
I would love to hear anyone else’s stories of internships, studying abroad, or experiencing poverty through education, and what you think about the idea of an unpaid internship as a default for an average student.
NOTE: Please be kind in the comments. I am not slandering anyone who had the opportunity to intern or study abroad; in fact I’m happy for you and I’d love to hear about your experience after college as well. However, I do want to open the conversation for people in all levels of wealth to understand this issue as a whole and how it affects everyone.
Eva Jannotta (she/her)Amplify your influence.
171
06/01/20 at 10:24PM UTC
Yes! Unpaid internships are classist, and they preclude anyone who has to work to live from participating. Also, why should we set the expectation that anyone should ever work for free? Experience is valuable, but it's not money. You gain experience at every job, and it doesn't make sense that at the internship level the experience you can expect to gain all through your life should for some reason be all you need for compensation. NOPE.
Carolyn HipkinsOnline Community Manager | Executive Assistant
387
05/28/20 at 3PM UTC
I agree that unpaid internships are classist. They don't account for college students who have responsibilities or limited means. These students must work in addition to doing their studies. Internships are a good way to make connections and land jobs. Some of the attorneys where I work did internships there. After graduation they were hired. Unpaid internships make it difficult for people of low wealth to make those connections and get into those jobs.
Deb StricklandDigital Marketing | Analytics & Tech Nomad
181
05/26/20 at 11:49PM UTC
Yes, it is classist and it assumes there are plenty of internships to go around just by asking. First of all, be proud of the fact that you worked during college and use it to your advantage when asked that question. I too worked while in college and it took me six years to get a BS degree because of it. If anyone saw that as a negative, I quickly turned it around as way to show my dedication and drive. Most of the people I went to college with had rich parents who paid for everything. Are they better employees?
SARAH HALLJournalist seeking remote position
96
05/26/20 at 7:32PM UTC
They absolutely are, and I'm surprised more people aren't aware of it. It's becoming more and more apparent in white-collar industries that depend on the labor of unpaid interns - politics, law, even journalism - as the wealth gap grows and those career paths are shut off to people who can't afford to go a semester or a summer without working. There are a few good articles about it - here are a few links you can check out:
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/387537-unpaid-internships-unfairly-favor-the-wealthy
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-unpaid-interns-are-exploit
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201908/why-unpaid-internships-are-unethical
The idea that you need to give your labor away for free to benefit people WHO CAN EASILY AFFORD TO PAY YOU as the only way to advance your career is bull.
Maggie KimberlBe the change you want to see in the world.
139
05/26/20 at 7:31PM UTC
Unpaid internships are absolutely classist and also garbage. Not paying someone for their work should never happen, and the only reason this system still exists is because it's a virtue signal that you come from a family with money who can support you.
I had a similar college background. I worked full time unloading trucks in a grocery warehouse to put myself through college and I was the first person on my dad's side of the family to graduate from college. I also did this while maintaining a high GPA and my academic scholarships, so I graduated debt-free in 5 years with two Bachelor's degrees as a University Honors Scholar, Cum Laude. I also did not have time for an internship of any kind because I needed to make enough money to cover my living expenses.
I didn't start my first internship until I was in my 30s with two small children, and now it's seven years later and I've gone from intern to junior to manager to now Director or Promotions.
No one should be questioning why you aren't able to work for free. I would encourage you to push back when you hear this question. Even saying something like, "it's difficult to find time to work for free on top of my full-time job," doesn't have to be construed as combative.
Oh, and that internship I got in my 30s? It payed, too. Most internships are going that way. It's just not appropriate to demand free labor from people these days. At least pay them minimum wage. It's even the law in some states now.
Don't feel discouraged. You aren't doing anything wrong.
Laura McCannDriving results through people engagement
325
05/26/20 at 7:26PM UTC
As far as internships go, I am surprised there are still companies out there doing unpaid internships. For my last 3 companies, we paid all interns.
I'm also surprised at the question of why didn't you do that in college. Strange question in my opinion. My companies usually seek out folks who worked part-time or full-time in college as it shows grit and the ability to handle multiple priorities. Summer internships can be a great way for folks to try out different fields but they are not the end-all, be-all.
My husband and I had discussions around internships. He is going into a new career and wants to get the experience. However, he is getting questions about being an older candidate looking for internships that usually go to folks in their 20s. He keeps trying for them, because he wants the experience.
Best of luck to you!
Anonymous
05/26/20 at 7:13PM UTC
That is an interesting thought and an important question to ask. I teach online for a university in my state, and one of my classes is on Student Success. So many of my students are full-time working adults trying to move into a better career that suits their passion. Yet, they are struggling to find a job because they lack experience. I think internships and externships are valuable no matter when you take them and there is no set guideline on when one should be done. I've also had interns who found the title of "intern" insulting as they felt that they should be regarded as a staff member, even if they are only part-time and temporary. I see the various points of view and they are valid. The system is not necessarily set up for non-traditional students and entries to the system - this should and must change.
At the end of the day, there really is no set time table for doing an internship nor should there be. Some internships are only useful after you have learned the field academically and sometimes they are the only way to gain experience and obtain gainful employment. Sounds like the companies have a particular intern in mind when they are recruiting and are stuck in that box.
I'm sorry that they have communicated the perspective that you didn't do what you should. You have accomplished a great deal and in the midst of challenging circumstances; I would rather have you as an intern than someone who didn't have to push through issues like poverty. You have the tenacity I want on my team!
Jillian KnappEducator, Storyteller, Lifeline
833
05/23/20 at 6:22PM UTC (Edited)
I remember getting similar questions. My situation was slightly different. At the time I decided to take a larger course load. I figured the sooner my education was completed the sooner I could pay my bills with a grownup job and move on with life. There was no time for anything else. Not work or social. I lived in my books. My point is that I think some of these people who interview for these positions may have a perception there is one type of student. The one who takes classes goes to football games and has time for internships during this time. That’s not every student. I don’t know if that perception will change any time soon but I think there needs to be an understanding that we come from different places and not all of us can do the same things at the same time due to circumstances. I hope I’m making sense. And to be clear that wasn’t everyone. You may find that as well. I’m wishing you all the best. I believe you will land in the right place.
Clydene HPassionately helping customers & succeed.
217
05/23/20 at 5:25PM UTC
Interesting question and one I never thought of before. It’s also not something I’ve ever asked a candidate about, though in all fairness, most people I’ve interviewed have work history as opposed to new graduates.
Having said all that, maybe they’re just curious and not disdainful? Maybe the tone they were trying to use was different than the tone you heard?
Even if it started as disdain, I’m sure your story changed the way they felt. As a hiring manager, your background sounds to me as something that built character and set you up as someone who understands work ethic and isn’t afraid to do what’s necessary to reach your goals. This is something you should be proud of, and if someone is going to look down on you for it, you wouldn’t want to work for them anyways.
My advice is to maybe head-off the question before they ask it. Work it into the conversation early - maybe during the “tell me about yourself” phase of the interview.
Susan SmoterBurning desire to make the working world better
1.46k
05/23/20 at 5:30PM UTC
... adding to the comment above or include in your narrative about why you applied for this internship and tone down that you didn't do any during college, but say rather that this attracted you because it's an area where you'd like to learn and grow your skills.
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