Gas Station Boudin

fastcodesign:

Are you working for free? Wondering whether its worth your time? Check out Is Working For Free Ever A Good Idea.

Ask yourself:

• Do they pay other people who do this work? Do their competitors?
• Do I care about their mission? Can they afford to do this professionally?
• Will I get noticed by the right people, people who will help me spread the word to the point where I can get hired to do this professionally?
• What’s the risk to me, my internal monologue, and my reputation if I do this work?

I hire at least one college intern most summers, and we have high school interns throughout the year through a partnership with a Catholic school that serves low-income families. We pay every one of them, and I would never think to do otherwise.

I cannot understand how any company, especially a Manhattan- or Bay Area-based multibillion dollar concern, could think it’s ok to have a 20 year old work all summer without being paid. The experience and connections are invaluable to the intern, but just pay them, already.