Seems like a simple enough question. You work for someone, they pay you. But that's not how it always works in the world of internships and ambassadorships. It was the subject of conversation on the latest BeanCast (Episode 196) and is still a topic very interesting to me.
Of my three internships I have been paid by only one (it was the best one, mind you). The other two were not terrible, I certainly learned a great deal. But I know for certain one was illegal (check out this page from the DOL if you don't know how to spot one of those). At the other it was a mixture of paid and unpaid interns and I am not quite sure on the legality of it.
I don't feel bad about not getting paid. Most of it was my fault for not thinking I was worth money and being so grateful to be working in advertising. What I can tell you is that getting paid for your work makes you much more loyal and much more appreciated.
When you are paid you feel you owe a debt to the company you're working for. They expect you to do AT LEAST as much work as they're paying you for. There can be no expectations when you're working for free.
If you do end up taking an internship that is cash-strapped make sure you're getting something for it. Experience, while nice cannot ever keep you warm at night. If the company has shares ask for payment that way, ask that they pay for your meals. Something, anything that is going to make you feel compensated for your work.
Above all, make sure you know what you're getting into. If not the exact job you're doing then the type of culture the business has. Nothing feels more rotten than working for rotten people, for free. Trust me I know far too much about this.
There are plenty of good things that come from any internship. Even the bad ones teach you what you don't want to do later in life. Even people who hate their jobs are usually paid.
In my opinion unpaid internships are more destructive to the general workforce than the people taking part in them. A certain amount of privilege needs to exist for someone to be able to work for free. To do one living outside of your parents house is almost unfathomable to me. Even couch-surfing can only save so much.
Having a job on the side is also unrealistic to me. If I have an internship that is my job. I'm throwing everything I have into producing amazing work. Having a job on the side only undermines what you approached an agency for: real, hardcore advertising experience.
Of course it’s up to every individual to determine the worth of unpaid gigs. But if you take one you’re essentially saying, “my time, and effort, are worthless.”
Are you worthless?