Every student is thinking about internships, whether they’re paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, in order to differentiate themselves from the crowd and broaden their horizons. This is because there are more people applying for each available position, the educational system is inefficient, and they need to ensure their financial stability. Should we start all over again with the discussion of work ethics and fair treatment in the context of interns now that it has become more mainstream?
A taste of the real world of work is what one may expect to get from participating in an internship in the current day. The phrase “exposure” is frequently used to describe the function of this device. Companies were only willing to hire interns in the medical profession at first, but today practically every industry is participating in the programme. Because of this, students in every profession are now able to access, experience, and take forward the real-life application of whatever theoretical concepts they have been taught in the classrooms.
Nonetheless, discussions regarding interns and the treatment they receive from the largest and most lucrative companies, much alone startups, have been a matter of heated controversy in recent years. This is particularly true in regard to the treatment that interns receive from larger companies. The adrenaline rush of being a part of a bigger system, working with actual procedures and consequences, and being mentored by individuals who have achieved so much success in their jobs that one immediately begins to recognise a role model in them – all of this shine frequently blinds them into unlimited thankfulness. Yet, with social media in hand, dissenting voices have emerged to address the identity dilemma that is experienced when working as an intern.
There are occasions when it is not even affordable. Unpaid. Unrecognised.
In today’s world, the majority of internships have transitioned into entry-level positions. They are tactically employed under the umbrella title of “intern,” and throughout their time as interns, they are expected to fulfil a certain function. It is possible that the learning, which is at the heart of the concept of an internship, will occur quickly and effectively in some instances during the first few days. On the other hand, if the student is required to complete the same job over and over again, this learning rapidly becomes tedious.
It is essential to keep in mind that the majority of the time, these jobs are also left over from other projects. When there is too much responsibility that falls on one person’s shoulders, it is preferable to use an intern to carry on the duty rather than recruiting a proper employee to do so. This is done in order to save money by not having to pay for a conventional wage package together with additional perks. The solution appears to be very obvious at this point. Katie was not getting recruited on a full-time basis because businesses desire to avoid these obligations while still appreciating the prompt completion of tasks, which is why she was not getting hired.
The widespread perception of interns not as students but as a source of low-cost labour has reached a point where individuals are having dialogues in which they voice their dissatisfaction with not even being given the weekend off. The image of a squeeze ball comes to mind as a metaphor here. It would appear as though the employers’ goal is to relieve the intern of as much labour as they possibly can. Who exactly is the focus of this internship, then?
It is common to find interns sidelined and neglected, particularly after they grow a little from their identity of solely being a source of low-cost labour. This occurs for a number of reasons, including the lack of learning in its approach on the part of the organisation and the lack of agency with respect to the work that has been assigned on the part of the intern.
“Interns are not provided with the same platform to put forward their ideas in an open and honest manner. ” In point of fact, there is a possibility of being attacked collectively due to the fact that you have an opinion. The full-time employees and the interns frequently come into conflict with one another due to their differences in ego. Interns are left with a terrible impression of the company as a result of this, who has worked for more than two well-known companies during her time as an intern.
An internship can be ruined by both the culture of the workplace and the politics of the office.
Even though the word “intern” has been used to refer to all of these people throughout this article, it is not a singular category. The politics that determine the sort of treatment an intern receives at their place of employment are complicated by a number of different elements.
If you have arrived through a reference or belong to a prestigious college, the individuals who work for the organisation may go the additional mile to focus on the learning component of the position. On the other hand, if you have gotten in by the conventional route, it is most-likely that they won’t care to invest in the same.
The anguish experienced by the intern who never received the recognition she deserved for the idea that led to a massive increase in the company’s audience is a microcosm of a larger struggle that is taking place in a world in which interns are denied fundamental opportunities for exploration, learning, and minimum wages.
We will continue to be until organisations realise the need to view interns as learners rather than cheap labour, and until these organisations provide interns with sufficient recognition, perks, and wage for the work they put into the internship programme. It is possible that one of these interns may go on to become a high-potential employee for the firm, which the company will require in the future. If you lose the potential to construct a promising employee by not participating in the development and learning of interns, you will be missing out.
