10 Questions To Ask Before Taking An Unpaid Internship

Will it fulfill a credit?

Some college programs require internships for credits towards your degree. Before accepting an internship you’ll want to make sure your school approves it otherwise it’s a wasted effort. If the internship listing doesn’t mention their willingness to complete paperwork so you can obtain credits, ask during the interview process.

What will it teach you?

Don’t take an internship just to say you’ve taken an internship. You want to learn something from the experience. Ask your internship supervisor what they’ll teach you and decide whether it’s in line with your future goals. And if it isn’t, suggest areas where you would like to gain more knowledge.

How many hours will you work?

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, unpaid interns shouldn’t displace regular employees and the employer should receive no immediate advantage from the activities of interns.

In other words: as an intern you shouldn’t be doing the work or working the hours of paid employees to the benefit of the employer. Find out how many hours your internship wants you to work and ensure they’re not taking advantage of you.

What will your assignments be?

Ask what duties you’ll have while interning. Will you have the opportunity to shadow workers in the office? Will you work primarily on administrative tasks? Then ask yourself if those duties will help you grow as a professional and look impressive on your resume. Or if you could find another internship that would suit you better.

Who will you meet?

Even though a job isn’t guaranteed after completing an internship it’s a chance for you to network. Find out if you’ll attend meetings or events. Ask if you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through the office to meet as many people as possible.

Is it offered by a reputable person/company?

Do research on who you’ll be interning for before accepting. When it’s on your resume a hiring manager will do the same. And if what they find is sketchy, your experience won’t have the same impact. Internships should be a mutually beneficial experience. You shouldn’t be working for someone who simply needs a helping hand running their everyday business.

Can it progress into a job?

Do research on the internship program before you accept. See if people who’ve completed the internship have transitioned into full-time employees. And ask your internship adviser what jobs past interns have gotten after graduation.

How will it benefit your resume?

Before taking an internship think about how it’ll improve your resume. Look at job descriptions of positions that you want in the future. Then decide whether what you’ll learn from this internship includes key points you can put on your resume.

Is it worth your time?

Be honest with yourself. Every moment of your time through school and while you’re building a career is precious. If an internship isn’t worth your time don’t take it. And if you find out the internship isn’t worth your time after taking it, be professional. Give your internship supervisor a few week’s notice and explain your concerns. It’s possible they can make adjustments that will make the experience more valuable.

Can you find a paying job instead?

Finally, try to search for paying jobs in your field that might offer you the same experience. Administrative or entry level positions in your industry may give you the same exposure within a company that an unpaid internship would. Except with a job you’ll get paid for your time while building relationships and learning the ropes.