Why My Full-Time, Unpaid Internship Didn’t Suck
by Brigid Wright
When I took my unpaid internship, it wasn’t because I necessarily wanted to. Like most of my classmates, I applied to dozens of paid positions, and went through rounds of phone interviews, in-office meetings, most of which ended in rejection. I was offered a few different jobs as a part-time, unpaid internship, but having experience with them in the past, I was looking for more commitment and more responsibility. I was exploring different career fields, and wanted to be in an environment where I would act more as an employee, and less like an assistant.
When a small marketing firm in Charlestown, MA brought me into their office to interview, I was hesitant. The job description explicitly stated that the position was full-time and unpaid (with a stipend for travel expenses), I knew I was going against the criteria I’d set out for myself at the beginning of my search. I only had experience in editing and publishing internships, however, and a position in marketing or advertising was what I really wanted to get involved in. It was also nearly the end of finals in May, and I hadn’t been offered anything I felt really passionate about. So when the firm extended an offer, I reluctantly took it.
I spent the end of finals freaking out about how I was going to support myself during the summer months. A full-time internship meant no time for a job waitressing or working in retail during the week, and I could only imagine the exhaustion I would be battling on the weekends after working 40 hours, five days a week.
Maybe it was how passionate I was about exploring a new career option; maybe it was the fact I would be working with another BC collegiette who I lived with my sophomore year; maybe it was seeing this article on Forbes that showed 37% of unpaid interns get jobs; or maybe it was the fact that working at a small company gave me opportunities that a large firm couldn’t. No matter what it was, working as a full-time, unpaid intern was the most rewarding job experience I’ve had yet, and here’s why:
1. I learned how to budget and save money
Truth be told, I did have some time that I could have committed to a part-time job on nights and weekends. But it is no exaggeration when I say sitting in stand-still traffic for over an hour each day on the drive home, combined with verbal arguments with my alarm clock between 6 a.m. and 6:25 a.m. really took a lot out of me. Babysitting every other week on top of my savings was enough to get me by, but working unpaid showed me exactly what I did and did not need to be spending money on. I stopped eating out as much; I started following print magazines on Twitter and reading more online blogs; I taught myself how to paint my nails (sort of) instead of paying for manicures. I also learned the routine of saving each week for rent and utilities. It may seem small, and an indirect lesson of my internship, but I never would have become so fantastically frugal had I been given a paycheck to splurge with each week.
2. I played a crucial role in my office environment
My tasks as an intern were relatively consistent with many other internships: organize files, compile research, sit in on meetings, etc. But working for such a small firm, my efforts in standardizing methods for doing research, organizing the company database, and even acting as a proofreader for the creative team at times, were day-to-day necessities that wouldn’t have gotten done had I not been in the office every day. At the end of the summer, being able to see how I impacted the efficiency of the agency, and their short-term future, was worth much more important than weekly compensation.
3. I expanded my professional network (and not just on LinkedIn)
The beauty of a small, start-up sized agency is that day-to-day interactions span from a direct supervisor to the CEO. At my internship, I got advice from my engagement supervisors who entered the workforce not so long ago, as well as knowledge from the founders of the company who have been in the industry for several years. And, due to how expansive my responsibilities were, I was able to learn from executives from our clients, and engage with many different facets of the marketing industry. Working for a larger advertising firm would not have allowed me the same opportunities for client interaction and advice (let alone a LinkedIn connection with a CEO!) as working for my small agency did.
4. I was able to prolong my position
Being in such a small and closely tied work environment, my effort and dedication went noticed on a daily basis. The position feedback and reinforcement I received from my superiors not only improved my skills as an intern and employee, but was also a constant reminder of how thankful they were to have an intern willing to work unpaid. And, when I presented them with my class schedule for the fall, they were more than happy to find a place for me in the office part time. Having the opportunity to make those connections gave me more options for a job in the fall, leading to course credit and maybe even an offer post-graduation (if I’m as fantastic as I’m making it sound like I am).
While working unpaid, it was tempting to put in less effort, and push papers without expressing care and dedication. While working full-time, it was tempting to waste some of my day on Pinterest and let projects pile up. And it was discouraging at times: having a hard day at work and coming home to realize I didn’t have much to show for my commitment wasn’t always the best feeling. And neither is paying for an after-work Diet Coke with nickels or skipping on shopping trips with friends in an attempt to blow off some steam. But what I got from my full-time, unpaid internship was skills, experience, and connections that might have been taken for granted had I been given a salary or less responsibility due to an ultra-competitive environment. I worked with an incredible team, gained the trust and appreciation of my supervisors, and now know that I can handle myself if money is ever tight. And that definitely doesn’t suck.
Photo Sources:
http://www.moneymanagement.org/~/media/budgeting.jpg
http://www.marquette.edu/csc/undergraduate/images/logo-linkedin_001.png