Internships

Although most people accept that pouring coffee and other menial tasks are part and parcel of an unpaid internship, there is such a thing as an employer crossing the line and taking advantage of you.

To those of you who are considering or who are already doing unpaid internships, you need to make sure you know your rights. Here is a list of them according to the Department of Labor website:

• The internship should be an educational experience.
• It's the intern who benefits from the experience.
• The intern shouldn't replace a paid worker but will work under the close supervision of the regular staff.
• The intern's activities will provide no immediate advantages for the employer and may occasionally impede operations.
• The intern won't be entitled to a job when the internship ends.
• There is a mutual understanding between the employer and the intern that the intern will not be paid for the time spent on the internship.

Have you ever worked for free, and if so, how were you treated?

Savvy celebrity entrepreneur Lauren Conrad seems to be doing it all, with two clothing lines, two websites, and a book franchise under her belt. She recently shared with us in an interview some wise advice that her dad imparted to her:

" . . . my dad always really pushed internships with me. He said it's really important that you get experience, and I was doing internships when I was still in high school, which I'm really glad . . . But I think just depending on whatever internship you want to be in, just working with them, and even if the tasks you are given are very simple and they're more busy work than anything, just by being there you learn things, which is nice."

How have internships helped you in your career?

This reader posted in our Resume Remedy group saying that she's having trouble finding an internship. Any advice?

I'm in a bind! I'm a recent graduate looking for an internship, but I can't seem to land one! Unlike most students, I didn't do any internships while in school (something I majorly regret). But what really stinks, is now i cannot even land one post-grad, it seems all employers are looking for someone with at least one on their resume. What do I do? I feel so hopeless. I don't mean to get all emo . . . but I just don't know where to begin — and I'm not getting any younger.

Ask anything about job hunting and resumes by posting your questions in the Resume Remedy group, and the community and I will help you out.

This anonymous poster in our Savvy Confessions group wants to know what happened to her internship. Chime in with your thoughts below.

So here is the deal — I applied for an internship and was told to submit a little test. I handed in all the supplemental materials and I was sooo excited, because (not to toot my own horn) but I did a great job. But then, the morning the materials were due (I had already turned them in) I saw ON TWITTER that the position had been filled. I don't get it? What happened? Should I say something?

Truly yours,

Internshipless in SF

Share your own career- and finance-related questions anonymously in the Savvy Confessions group for a chance to be featured on SavvySugar and advised by fellow Savvy readers.

This question was submitted by MorningMist in the Ask Savvy group.

Last year I completed a one year internship at a company that then offered me a part time position of which I am currently working in. A couple of months ago my manager asked me verbally whether I would like to work full time for the company next year, while completing my degree part time (I am graduating next year). I replied "yes" without thinking. My current contract ends at the end of this year. Even though nothing has been signed for my position next year, I know that the seniors are assuming I am staying on and have started planning.

For the rest of her dilemma and to offer your take, keep on reading.

About a year after graduation, a friend of mine landed a great design internship with an amazing firm in the city. Fast forward almost three years later and she's still an intern with the company. Based on economics, the small firm can't afford to offer her a promotion, and, as if that wasn't bad enough, her title has remained the same as well — officially, she's still the office "intern."

So, why is she still sticking around? Well, after nearly three years with the same office, she feels committed to the work there, especially since they've assured her again and again that as soon as they're financially able, she will get the promotion she so deserves. Besides that, the company is one of the most reputable in its field, so she's figured it might pay off in the long haul to wait it out.

While she's met with HR and her superiors to clear the air on her predicament, at this point, there's nothing the company is really offering to do to change her status. For now, she'll have to continue the work she's doing and hope it pays off. Keep in mind, she is a paid intern, but she doesn't receive any health benefits, paid time off, or 401(k). Now, I'm wondering how many of you out there would do the same if you were really passionate about your career field? How long would you stick it out as an intern at a great firm before you said adios?

Without an internship locked down, and looking at three unproductive Summer months ahead, 22 year-old Ryan Scaife took a leap of faith and created the internship he wanted. He followed his interest in sports management, pursuing local minor baseball teams in his area, and though they offered no intern positions, he emailed and offered to be the intern they never knew they needed.

With an email request to work as graphic design intern, Ryan hoped for exposure to business and management side of running a sports team. With fewer intern positions available in this market, Ryan took a smart approach to getting hired — even if it doesn't pay. He zeroed in on the skill set he wanted to learn, and essentially created the position he wanted. While lots of companies are taking a hit in the economy and pulling back on paid intern programs, there's still work to be done and with the right networking and the right offer, it might be hard to turn you down. If nothing else, Ryan teaches a pretty valuable life lesson in initiative — plus, his experience as an intern boosts his resume, and the same kind of creative thinking that got him the internship is likely to get him a job too. Win, win.