Good day, amazing people of the Hive blockchain. Welcome back to my blog. It is another edition in the #hivelearners community. I am so delighted to participate in this week's prompt, paid interns.
It has always been in my mind to write about interns. I don’t see any reason why people should argue that interns shouldn’t be paid. In most companies or organisations, these interns work more than the staff. The so-called interns come to work early; in most cases, they are being bossed around, and they can’t speak up because they want to gather experience. Internship is very important because it grooms people more, especially in the Nigerian system of education where we do more theories than practical work. Internship will help to give them a clear understanding of what they have studied. People keep debating if interns should be paid during their period of gathering experience and knowledge.
This post just reminded me of the period I did an internship with one company; it was not funny at all. I had to endure it because I wanted to gather the experience – no payments, no allowance, no stipend – and at the end of the day I worked more than the staff. The organisation is paying salary. The funny part is I worked every day, and the whole transport came from my pocket. Most times I would wake up and wish I had never started the internship.
Even when I am in pain, I have to go to work because I need the experience. Most times my sister will pity me and pay my transport. For two weeks I was not getting support or allowance from this organisation. I understand fully well that an internship is an avenue where prospective workers and graduates learn and gather knowledge, and it helps to build a wonderful future.
Companies or organisations that pay interns are very few, and if you happen to work under such a company, consider yourself someone who is lucky. Training you also is a blessing; other interns are working without pay.
For me, an intern should be paid; it must be a full payment like normal staff. They deserve something for work well done no matter how small the pay may be. In truth, they are there to be trained and learn. They also contribute to the growth of the organisation; most times, the staff shift their duty to this intern.
Let's try and be a little realistic here. These people are giving their time, energy and resources because they feed themselves and also pay for their transport to work, and after this service they don’t receive anything in return. Somehow I see it as unfair treatment to this intern.
I know that they are there for experience, but they also have basic needs. I am not saying that the organisation should break the bank and pay them the same salary as the full staff, but at least give them something no matter how small it is. Appreciate them, and they will be motivated to do more.
What is your own thought? Do you think that interns should be paid or not?
This is my entry on the weekly prompts #hivelearners #hl-w214e2 topic paid interns.
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