Unpaid internships getting me down

LegacyUser

I have been working as an unpaid intern for four summers in between college years. I have a degree and post grad behind me now and I am still working in an unpaid internship. I have applied for paying jobs and have gotten a few interviews but someone more experienced has always gotten the job.

My bosses are always happy with my work but don’t have the budget to pay me. I am getting really down about this as I am in a lot of debt and without an income, my life is on hold.

What can I do?

Idle Passerby

Are you at least getting the dole? I know its disheartening but at least you are showing potential employers that you are serious about the job and gaining experience. Have you looked into finding work abroad?

Reesy

Heck, that's tough. Do you have specific learning objectives from your internship, so you know it is leading you towards a paid job?

MetalDog

Hey I know how you feel the whole unpaid thing sucks and is very demoralising. I'm in a similar situation myself.

If I may make a few suggestions:

Write up a CV for yourself, but make it skills-based, i.e. what actual transferable skills you attained as a result of your internships. For example, IT skills, versatility, ability to adapt to new work, being a quick learner, a team player etc - these are all qualities that you can use in a variety of situations.

My own experience has been that staying physically and mentally fit and trying to think positive all help.

We, you, I, do not have any control over the current situation, the whole recession thing, we can only do our best.

Try not to burn yourself out on the job hunt, don't obsess over it. There's more to life than work. You could have a highly - paid job but be miserable. Take time for out yourself. Have you any hobbies/pastimes that you can use to relax and meet friends?

My final bit of advice to you is take on board the skills you've attained and make them applicable to various situations. Versatility will make you stand out from the pack.

Best of luck and I hope I have helped you even a small bit.

LegacyUser

OP here. Thanks for all of the replies, they have helped me to focus more on the positives of doing the internships. I have lots of free interests and hobbies to keep me going too.

I feel like my life is on hold because I am nearly thirty and a lot of my friends are travelling around the world, getting engaged, buying houses etc. but this is just a pipe dream for me now as I am about €17,000 in debt from college costs and have no income. I have a wonderful boyfriend of 6 years who has been incredibly supportive in every way including financially and we would love to get married, set up a home, start a family and start out lives together but we would not be able to do any of this on one income especially as his income has taken several cuts during the recession.

I feel guilty for holding him back even though he says that he doesn’t feel like that. I just feel a bit worthless coming in everyday and being the only one not getting a wage.

woodchuck

Is it the same place you've been doing the intership for the 4 summers? If it is I'd look around to find a different intership somewhere else (unless you can find a paid job of course). Doing a different job somewhere else should give you extra skills to help build up your CV. While doing unpaid work is obviously better than no work, if you've gotten to the point where you're not getting any new opportunities to strengthen your skillset you should move on if you can.

LegacyUser

I've been in four different companies so it has varied my experience as they are slightly different sectors. It began as a way to decide what career path I would like to take but once that was decided I kept going in the hope of finding a job either internally or through the applications for other vacancies I’ve made.

Emigrating isn’t really an option for me unless I leave my boyfriend as he has ties here so it’s really unappealing.

I just feel stuck in a rut. I know that it’s better than sitting at home but it’s a bit demoralising that I have to borrow petrol money to get to and from work and people doing very similar work are getting a good wage every month and can support their family, pay a mortgage, go on holidays and all of the regular things that I assumed I would be able to do by now.

Gary The Gamer

My bosses are always happy with my work but don’t have the budget to pay me.

That makes me laugh. Why would the put aside money to pay your or somebody else when they have a person willing to do it for free. If you want a paying job then stop working for free.

solarplexus

I feel your pain Op. I am doing unpaid Legal Internship for last year. Cant get apprenticeship.... Debts are racking up... I'm at an alll time low...

qrrgprgua

Far better you are doing internships than doing nothing at all.

Gaps in CV are not good. You need to keep going, being in a company and doing something is always better than being at home doing nothing.

When I look to employ someone I go over their CV carefully.. If I see someone who has been out of work for over a year and has done nothing about it, not even attempted an internship.. Then usually the persons CV does not go far.. you need an all rounder, Qualifications/Experience/willingness to work. You are doing the right thing. Keep going for sure you will find something. It can take up to a year.
You are exactly what many companies are looking for, someone who wants to work and has showed they did not sit around on the dole.

Remember the 2 best times to get a Job are coming, Sept/Jan. So get ready, keep focused and skilled and make sure you leave no "out of work" gaps in the CV, Stick to internships if you can. Shows you are not lazy.