- Are students afraid to rock the boat and complain about their internship employers?
- Are unpaid, internships legal? (Wait a minute - I wasn't paid!)
- How will the new, FLSA laws impact hiring?
As a University Career Counselor, one of my specialties is the College to Career Transition. Many of my students take on internships to gain valuable experience and transition to a new industry. During this recession, there has been an increase in internships. Also, more employers are asking schools to post unpaid internships on school job-boards. Are they legit? Many schools are concerned that the recruitment pipeline will dry up, if employers are forced to pay wages for internships.
On a regular basis, we grapple with defining internships and the potential, implications of unpaid internships. Should Universities post these jobs on the school job-boards? Should a University Career Center screen or evaluate postings? Whose role is it to to protect students from opportunists?
