Should I Do An Internship - VocationVillage

Should I Do An Internship - VocationVillage Dear Dr. Civitelli,I just saw the legal ruling where a federal judge said that many unpaid internships are illegal if offered by a for-profit company. My college career advisor said that to maximize my marketability, I should do an internship whether it is paid or not. What do you recommend?Signed, Confused College StudentDear Confused College Student,I dont know if this legal ruling will be upheld and I have mixed feelings about it. Unpaid internships can be a form of exploitation and thats bad. However, these unpaid experiences can also be a way for college students to gain experience in competitive fields and to make industry connections that yield opportunities for decades to come.It isnt as simple, either, as looking at whether the internship is paid vs. unpaid. A paid internship where you dont get good opportunities to learn and make connections is of questionable value. By contrast, an unpaid internship can be very beneficial if you learn a lot and meet people in the career field you are exploring.A couple of years ago, I interviewed college students who leveraged their internships into terrific full-time jobs. While this doesnt happen for everyone who completes an internship, read their stories and see what you think.Victoria Whyte, PR Manager, Ludus ToursRabia H. Mir, Research Analyst, Public HealthAnsley Fous, Publicist, Fashion IndustryShane Arman, Brand Marketing, Burson-MarstellerJulia Dalton, VP of Product Development Marketing, Juggle.comStephanie Cobian, Television IndustryJessica A. Zaloom, Advertising IndustryLeigh Peterson, Creative PR / Virtual Assistance .I hope this helps you to decide!