We recently hosted a webinar about the topic of unpaid internships and encourage you to view it if you are considering an unpaid internship and not sure how to manage the expectations around this endeavor.
When considering an unpaid internship offer, it is important to gather as much information as possible to ensure that the experience will be valuable for your personal and professional development. Note that there are different expectations for non-profit and for-profit companies employing unpaid interns. In this article, we have made note of specific things to keep in mind when it comes to an unpaid internship at a for-profit company as these internships are guided by the Fair Standards and Labors Act (FLSA) because in this case, the student must be the primary beneficiary of the internship relationship.
Here are ten key questions to ask before accepting an unpaid internship:
1. What Specific Skills and Experiences Will I Gain?
- Why Ask: You want to make sure the internship aligns with your career goals and helps you acquire relevant skills.
- What to Listen For: Clear learning outcomes and skill development that match your interests.
2. What Will My Daily Responsibilities Be?
- Why Ask: Helps you understand the nature of the work and whether the tasks are meaningful.
- What to Listen For: A detailed description of your role that goes beyond administrative tasks (an unpaid internship should not include you making ‘coffee runs’ for your supervisor).
3. Who Will Be My Direct Supervisor, and What Is Their Role?
- Why Ask: Knowing your supervisor’s role helps set expectations for feedback, guidance, and mentorship.
- What to Listen For: A supervisor who is accessible, knowledgeable, and invested in your development.
4. How Will My Performance Be Evaluated?
- Why Ask: Evaluation criteria helps you understand what professional skills you need to develop over the course of your internship, as well as any achievements you make during your time at the company.
- What to Listen For: Regular feedback sessions, performance reviews, and constructive guidance.
5. Are There Opportunities for Mentorship or Networking?
- Why Ask: Mentorship and networking are critical to making the internship valuable beyond just completing tasks.
- What to Listen For: Opportunities to connect with industry professionals, attend meetings, or participate in networking events.
6. Will I Have Opportunities to Work on Real Projects?
- Why Ask: Working on actual projects provides hands-on experience and enhances your resume; while you are not being financially compensated for an unpaid internship, you should be walking away with education/skills gathered from outside the classroom, in the ‘real’ work world.
- What to Listen For: Involvement in projects that are meaningful and contribute to the organization’s goals and boost your resume.
7. Is There a Possibility of a Job Offer After the Internship?
- Why Ask: Helps you gauge whether the internship could open doors to future opportunities. Keep in mind: while you can ASK, for-profit organizations cannot promise or guarantee that you will be offered a job. This would violate the FLSA which protects your rights as an unpaid intern.
- What to Listen For: A pathway to potential job offers, referrals, or at least a discussion about career paths.
8. What Is the Expected Time Commitment?
- Why Ask: Understanding the hours and schedule helps you balance the internship with other commitments.
- What to Listen For: A clear expectation of work hours and flexibility, if needed. According to the FLSA which protects your rights as an unpaid intern, for-profit companies employing unpaid interns must accommodate the interns’ academic obligations/schedules.
9. Will I Be Reimbursed for Expenses?
- Why Ask: Clarifies if there’s any financial support for transportation, meals, or other costs. However, for-profit companies employing unpaid interns cannot compensate employees in any way — e.g., they cannot buy you lunch or pay for a gym membership. The unpaid internship is an educational opportunity and gifts of any kind are not allowed by the FLSA.
- What to Listen For: Reimbursement policies or perks that help offset costs associated with the internship.
10. How Will This Internship Support My Career Goals?
- Why Ask: Ensures that the experience aligns with your long-term career objectives.
- What to Listen For: Alignment between the internship duties and your professional aspirations.
TLDR: Asking these questions helps you make an informed decision about whether an unpaid internship is worth your time and effort, ensuring that it provides value in terms of skill development, networking, and alignment with your career goals. To search for internships of any kind, download the FrogHire.aiextension for your internship hunt—one of our new features allows you to revise your resume alongside each job post, allowing you to see specific areas in the job post you want to highlight in your own resume.