Whether it's online or offline I've always seen that people always debate about this same topic again and again that "if the the interns should be paid or not?" To be honest I have only heard the negative response, every time someone would say that interns are gaining experience so that should be enough for them. I feel that people are not thinking with their brain that's why they say those stuff. It feels like they are disconnected from the reality.
I agree that internships are there because it can help people to learn. And I'm absolutely not denying that. I think of it as a phase rookies can develope their skills and learn many new things, and it helps each one of them to build for their future career. But the fact is that interns do not only sit around in the corner and observe. Most of the time they work harder and give extra time which is more than the full-time employees.
So the real question arrives here if someone is working hard giving away their energy, effort and time as like the real employees then why shouldn’t they get paid?
I feel the biggest issue is that companies often ignore the financial reality of the students who just graduated. The companies should see from interns point of view that everyone does not have the privilege to work for free and give away their time.
There's a cost for everything such as food, transportation. Well, some people even has to support their families because they are the only breadwinner in the family. If the internship does not pay it can automatically limit ones opportunities, there are only a few who can survive without income. In my opinion I feel this is completely unfair.
I’ve personally seen my close one's struggle during their internships. It was one of my senior cousin he used to wake up early and had to travel to long distanced places each day, he could bearly breathe in peace because he had to work the whole day.
After all that he came back home with exhaustion and in return he got “experience.” Even though the experience is valuable it won't put food on his plate in the moment also it's not gonna pay for the daily expenses. So, his stress didn't take the name of stopping. And yeah he went through hell for nothing but experience which didn't make life easier at the moment.
This is where unpaid internships can start to feel like exploitation and it doesn’t feel like an opportunity at all.
In argument companies has some valid points, like they invest time behind the intern also use their resources and effort into training those interns. But I believe training someone does not require that much of effort and time. I don't wanna sound neutral as it's not a one-sided investment. As the companies give their time the interns are also giving their time. So even if they are learning, they are also adding value.
I don't think that interns should be paid full salaries like permanent employees. Because they are not employees yet. But they should receive the basic allowance and we should also think realistically that small new companies can't give that much of allowance for interns. But at least a reasonable allowance or stipend should exist.
I think if the interns are paid a small amount this can change their mindset about the work. Also they will be motivated to work more hard with responsibility. It will truly make them feel better about the work. They will start to feel more valued and become more connected to the company. Surely they won't turn out like a temporary helper.
So, if you ask for my opinion that the interns should be paid? Then again my answer would be, yes—absolutely.
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