Internships: My Thoughts on Getting Fair Pay and Making Smart Choices

Hey everyone, So, we all know how competitive the job market is for grads, and getting some solid work experience is often key. Internships are a big part of that, but it can feel like a bit of a minefield trying to figure out what's what, especially when it comes to getting paid. I’ve been there, scratching my head over whether I should take an unpaid role or hold out for something paid. It turns out, there's actually a fair bit of law around it, and it's worth knowing your rights. Basically, if you're doing proper work for a company, like you've got a contract (even a verbal one!), you're expected to turn up, and they have work for you to do, then you're generally classed as a 'worker'. And if you're a worker, you should be getting at least the National Minimum Wage. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s the law! So, if you’re asked to do a full-on internship that looks like a proper job, but they're not offering pay, that should definitely raise a red flag. Always check the current rates for your age group, as they change. There are a few exceptions, like if you're on a sandwich course (though many employers still pay for these, thankfully!), or if you're genuinely volunteering for a charity and only getting expenses. Work shadowing, where you're just observing, also doesn't usually come with pay. But if you’re actually contributing and doing tasks, you should be paid. I know it’s tough, especially in some industries where unpaid internships seem to be the norm. It’s totally unfair, and it creates a huge barrier for anyone who can’t afford to work for free. If you're ever in that position where you're offered an unpaid role that *should* be paid, and you're considering it, I'd say tread really carefully. Maybe it's a very short-term opportunity, genuinely offers unique, career-defining experience, and you can absolutely afford to do it without stress. But honestly, for anything longer, it's usually best to look elsewhere. Instead of getting stuck in a potentially exploitative situation, think about other ways to build your CV. I've seen people do amazing things by getting involved in online projects, volunteering, starting a blog related to their field, or even taking online courses to develop specific skills. These can be brilliant for demonstrating initiative and building a portfolio, and you can often fit them around paid part-time work. And whether an internship is paid or not, always look for the signs of a *good* experience. You should be getting real responsibility, a proper induction, a supervisor who mentors you, and definitely a reference at the end. If it feels like you're just making tea or doing endless admin without learning anything, it's probably not worth your time, paid or not. Our university careers services are also fantastic resources – they can help you understand your rights and even connect you with SMEs that might not advertise widely but offer great paid opportunities. What are your thoughts on unpaid internships? Have you had any good or bad experiences you'd be willing to share? Cheers,