Have a say in unpaid internships

Make a difference with Time is Money. Time is valuable. Live that way.

Nobody wants to work for free, and nobody should have to. Doing work in any capacity is valuable. It’s time for schools and companies to start seeing that, and you have a say in making that change happen.

By now, you should be aware of our Time is Money campaign. Just in case you’ve never heard of it or you’re not aware of what Time is Money means, this is IGNITE’s way of backing up students’ right to get paid for their hard work.

What is Time is Money?

A person holding a time is money pamphlet. — *Picture by IGNITE.*

IGNITE, along with the student body, believes that students should be paid for their work. Work should never be paid for with experience alone, but with real dollars. Not only does it promote a healthy work relationship, but it also ensures that students aren’t struggling financially more than they already are.

How can anyone be expected to work without having a shelter, food or transportation?

IGNITE started the Time is Money campaign last year. Since then, we’ve collected many student testimonials and use that data to advocate for change with Humber Polytechnic’s governing body.

A 2025 TD Bank national survey reports that only one in 10 students feels they’re financially stable and ninety-two per cent of students feel financially stressed.

Unpaid internships can only add to that strain.

Don’t do it

Letters on dice that form the word "Don't." — *Photo by Ann H via Pexels.*

Sounds simple, but it isn’t. The work-integrated learning aspect of post-secondary education is essential for graduates. That means students are on a time crunch to find a suitable employer.

After getting approval from their professors, having conversations with their potential employers and getting recruited, there’s a difficult decision to make. “Suck it up” and take the unpaid internship to meet your graduation requirements while getting the experience needed for your future.

Or saying no.

It’s difficult to commit to the latter, but in the end, it’s worth it. Don’t partner with companies that don’t pay. It sets the standard for your other classmates to follow suit and will lead to better opportunities in the future.

If nobody gives away their work for free, then everyone’s work becomes more treasured, and companies will notice.

You could also petition and inquire about ways to improve the program with your professors, learning what you can do to change regulations on unpaid internships for your program.

IGNITE is already implementing ways to improve the unpaid internship rhetoric. The WIL Bursary provides students in the unfortunate situation of being in an unpaid internship to get reimbursed up to $2000.

You’re worthy

Anyone who puts in work deserves compensation. And no, “experience” isn’t compensation. As students, we enter the workforce at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole, and we’re often told to act like it.

We hear variations of “be grateful for the opportunity” a lot. Which I’m sure a lot of us are, but it’s possible to be grateful and still know our value.

Acknowledge your worth. Yes, you’re learning. Yes, you don’t have years of work experience. But you provide value to that company. You have industry knowledge from your education and you’re working toward improving yourself. Don’t let anyone downplay that.

Experience isn’t all or nothing. It doesn’t need to be that no experience equals no money or years of experience equals a paycheck.

There is a middle ground. It’s called a pay scale for a reason. It scales to the value you provide.

Nobody is asking for a six-figure salary outside of school. We’re excited to get to work and start our careers, but we’re also working for financial stability, just like every other working soul out there.

Don’t let anyone strip that from you. If you start acknowledging your value, the world will too.

Speak up

A young male with holding a laptop is screaming. — *Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.*

The best way to get the ball rolling on change is to be one loud voice, together. Staying silent while working for free won’t result in change for the better. It’ll only equal more of the same.

Sign the petition and tell your story through IGNITE’s Time is Money. It gives us the information we need to go to Humber officials and advocate for you. Sharing tangible information and statistics is an important way for Humber, UofGH and potential employers to see that paying for rent and food needs a paycheck, and them paying you is not a handout.

You earn it. Share your story, let your voice be heard.

Two students are staring at a TV with a video of IGNITE's Time is Money campaign. — *Picture by IGNITE.*

If you’ve already signed the petition, amazing! But the fight doesn’t end there. Everyone’s story matters. Tell your friends, classmates and even professors. Make sure everyone knows the revolution is happening and why it’s happening. Use #TimeisMoney online to keep the conversation going.

When you communicate, it leads to people understanding your value. At the same time, you’ll gain the experience you need for your education and career growth.

It’s time to get paid.

Feature image courtesy of Towfiqu barbhuiya via Pexels.

Make a change and feel self-love. Take care of yourself financially, mentally and physically with health and dental plan tips!