Sydney Martinez, Campus Carrier opinions editor

Students often take any opportunity they can to gain experience in their dream careers, yet this eagerness frequently leads them to unpaid internships. While internships may help build resumes and develop essential skills, the lack of compensation for hard work in unpaid internships sends a troubling message. Unpaid internships are unethical and should be banned before they discourage young professionals from pursuing their fields after college.

Unpaid internships are typically aimed at college students. Corporations offer entry-level positions, so students gain job training on the spot and learn tips and tricks from experienced employees. According to Flair, a human resources platform that manages recruitment, 39.2 percent of internships in the U.S. are unpaid. Although unpaid internships have been criticized as exploitative and unfair, they remain legal in the U.S. under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This act allows unpaid internships if the intern is the “primary beneficiary” of the experience, rather than the company.

A survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that people who have completed unpaid internships are only slightly more likely to get job offers than those without any internship experience. In contrast, paid internships generally lead to more meaningful training because companies are investing financially in interns and are more likely to consider them for future roles. In fact, Flair reports that “paid internships are 32 percent more likely to lead to a full-time job than unpaid ones.” This adds to the question of the ethics of unpaid internships. If working an unpaid internship does not bring a significant improvement to a student’s employment prospects, then they function more as free labor than as beneficial employment training programs.

The main ethical concern from unpaid internships is corporate benefit. Unpaid internships are fundamentally unethical because corporations benefit from free labor by not paying an additional worker. This practice particularly disadvantages students from low-income backgrounds, who cannot afford to work for free, leaving wealthier students with an advantage in gaining career-building experience. Paid positions allow students to focus on learning, free from the financial stress that unpaid work can bring. As explained by European Youth Forum, some students go as far as spending money on their internships to support themselves in travel and other necessary expenses while working at unpaid internships. This adds to students’ financial stress, making them choose between meaningful job experience or working a job that would give them a means to support themselves.

Moreover, unpaid internships can take a toll on students’ mental health. Office jobs are demanding, requiring significant time and energy, especially when interns are expected to put in substantial effort for no pay. Students may enter an internship eager to gain experience in their chosen field, only to leave feeling underappreciated and burnt out, which can deter their passion for the field. This dissatisfaction may push students to accept the first job offer they receive, which could lead to underemployment and less fulfilling careers if they were not paid for the hard work they put in during their internships.

Alternatively, paid internships generally have more benefits than internships that go unpaid. Paid internships offer a healthier professional environment. Compensation communicates that interns’ contributions are meaningful, encouraging a positive and engaged experience for students. On top of that, with fair pay, interns can focus on their tasks and learning without the added pressure of financial strain, which allows them to contribute fully.

Legally requiring internships to be paid across the United States would send a powerful message to young professionals that their work is valued and that their career growth is a worthwhile investment. While grants or subsidies may offer some short term relief, these should be viewed as temporary steps toward a bigger solution, banning unpaid internships. Fair compensation ensures that opportunities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial background, and empowers them to fully engage in their internships. As Europe has shown, banning unpaid internships is achievable, and it’s time the U.S. took a stand for ethical labor practices. Advocating for a landscape where dedication and skill are rewarded is just the first step. Students should have a fair shot at building their futures. Paid internships would ensure they gain experience and are paid for their effort spent learning.