Fair pay isn’t extra credit—it’s the baseline.

If internships were honest, their listings would look like this…

Unpaid internships – The struggle edition

• Location: Your bank account’s worst nightmare.
• Position: Overworked and underappreciated intern.
• Salary: “Experience” and a LinkedIn endorsement.
• Hours: Full-time and occasional unpaid overtime.
• Responsibilities:
  • Perform tasks meant for full-time employees.
  • Survive on instant noodles and caffeine.
  • Magically balance school, work and expenses.
  • Hope exposure will pay the bills (spoiler: it won’t).

Compensated internships – The success edition

• Location: A company that values you.
• Position: Future industry leader.
• Salary: Competitive pay (a.k.a. rent money!)
• Hours: A fair workload with work-life balance.
• Responsibilities:
  • Gain real-world skills without financial stress.
  • Contribute meaningfully while getting compensation.
  • Network and learn professionals.
  • Increase chances of a full-time job post-graduation.

Lesson of the day? Compensated internships open doors for everyone — not just those who can afford to work for free. Apply for internships that offer compensation. Your time and skills are worth it!

The hidden cost of unpaid internships

Internships are often hailed as the golden ticket to a successful career. But what happens when that golden ticket comes with a price tag? Unpaid internships have long been a barrier for students who cannot afford to work for free. They create an unfair playing field where only those with financial support can seize valuable opportunities, leaving others struggling to gain experience while also making ends meet.

The result? A cycle of inequality that favours the privileged and shuts out talented individuals who deserve just as much of a chance to succeed.

For students who accept unpaid internships, the reality is harsh. Juggling full-time hours without pay while trying to cover daily expenses is unsustainable. Many unpaid interns find themselves taking on additional jobs just to survive, leaving little time to fully engage in their internship experience. Worse yet, they may end up performing work identical to that of paid employees—without any financial recognition. The promise of “exposure” and “experience” may look good on a resume, but it doesn’t put food on the table.

On the other hand, compensated internships level the playing field. They provide students with fair compensation for their time and effort, allowing them to focus on learning rather than financial stress. Compensated interns can take on meaningful projects, gain real-world skills and build valuable industry connections—all while earning a paycheck. This not only benefits students but also employers, who attract motivated, dedicated talent and foster a diverse, inclusive workforce. When companies invest in their interns, they create a culture of fairness, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.

Compensated internships offer students valuable hands-on experience, financial support and a competitive edge in their careers. Below are some key benefits students gain from these opportunities:

A compensated internship helped me focus on my career goals – Hxlarisse Alyana Idala

“I was able to concentrate on my career development instead of worrying about my rent,” Hxlarisse Alyana Idala said, a student in the business management program who secured a compensated internship at a top finance company.

“It allowed me to fully engage with my work and gain skills that I use every day in my job now,” Idala shared.

Financial independence made a huge difference – Mehak Yadav

For Mehak Yadav, who’s taking advertising and marketing communications, a compensated internship meant she no longer had to take on multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet.

“I could finally focus on building my coding skills and networking with professionals instead of constantly stressing about my next paycheck,” Yadav said.

Opening doors to full-time employment – Christopher Patalen

Christopher Patalen, a graduate of the bachelor of commerce – accounting program, credits his compensated internship with securing him a full-time job offer after graduation.

“My paid internship not only gave me financial stability but also proved to my employer that I was a valuable asset. By the time I graduated, I already had a job waiting for me,” Patalen said.

More than just a paycheck, it’s fair compensation – Jesseryn Coronado

Jesseryn Coronado, a computer programmer, emphasizes the importance of fair compensation in internships.

“Unpaid internships shouldn’t even be an option. Companies should recognize that interns bring value and deserve to be compensated fairly. My paid internship gave me a sense of dignity in my work,” Coronado said.

Investing in the future workforce – Mark Dennis Guevarra

For Mark Dennis Guevarra, who’s taking advertising and graphic design, his compensated internship was about more than just personal benefits.

“When companies pay their interns, they invest in the future workforce. It’s a win-win situation where interns get experience and companies get fresh perspectives and hard-working individuals,” Guevarra said.

At the end of the day, your time, skills and hard work deserve recognition, and that includes fair compensation. Fair internships for all should be the standard, not the exception. As these student experiences show, compensated internships offer financial relief, real-world skills, career opportunities and the confidence to thrive in any industry.

Hard work deserves fair compensation—no exceptions. That’s why IGNITE is championing our Time is Money campaign, which advocates for compensated work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. Stand with us in the fight for fair compensation! Share your stories online and help amplify student voices. Together, we can turn unpaid experiences into real, compensated opportunities. Change starts now—let’s make fair pay the norm.

The choice is clear: why struggle unpaid when you can build your future with a company that values your contributions? Choose wisely. Choose compensation. Your future self will thank you.

Feature image courtesy of Ahmad Ossayli via Unsplash.

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