Unpaid Internships: Are They Worth It? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Unpaid Internships: Are They Worth It?

Do you have what it takes?

6
Unpaid Internships: Are They Worth It?
Northeastern University

Last summer, I had the pleasure of working for the Joplin Blasters, an American Association baseball team. I was pumped. This was something I had wanted to do for a long time, and I had the high hopes that it would help me get my foot in the door for something spectacular after graduation.

The downside? I was an unpaid intern.

Don't get me wrong, my internship was great. We got to see the inner workings on a new baseball team and have a pretty great time along the way. We laughed, we joked and we got soaked with that good Missouri rain almost the entire first month of work. But, we weren't making money. In fact, many of us had a second job on the days when we weren't with the baseball team.

In a world where everyone is money hungry, and where paid internships are becoming more and more common, don't overlook that unpaid internship. You'll be learning valuable skills, and more times than not these are the people who are going to care the most about your future and who want to help you along the way. I'm not going to tell you that everything about it is fun because we did spend our days pulling the tarp onto and off of the field, putting up pavilion tents and shagging home run balls during batting practice, but what we learned made up for it.

The unpaid internship is worth the struggle of not making as much money as you're used to. Going into this internship with an open mind changed my mindset and allowed me to see what potential career there were for me in the future regardless of my degree.

Don't knock it until you try it, and be open to anything, especially if you're looking for job experience. Being open-minded can lead to a world of possibilities and some of the best internships you never knew you were looking for. There's a lot of hard work and a lot of dirty work, but in the end, you walk away with something you never knew you needed.

If you're seeking an internship, make sure to explore your possibilities and don't limit yourself because you think you can't do something.

It's not glamorous, but it's worth it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190203
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14886
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457858
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26618
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments