The smart student who wouldn’t jump at an unpaid internship offer

Sometime last year, I attended a career fair at a certain private university. The Nation Media Group had just launched a new magazine, myNetwork, published on Fridays.

I was among the speakers at the fair, the purpose two-pronged – to talk about the broad subject of media, and to tell the students that there was a new magazine in town that spoke their language.

Like happens at such events, after the workshop, students are invited to mingle with the representatives of the various organisations present, ask questions, and basically learn more.

I talked to many students that day, but one stood out – a bright and intelligent young woman who instead of asking questions, gave me suggestions about how we could improve the magazine and how we could reach a wider audience. I was impressed and fascinated by this confident and knowledgeable 23-year-old (I had to ask how old she was), I remember thinking to myself that this was someone worth having in your team. After the chat, I asked her whether she would be interested in internship at the Nation. I of course expected her to say “yes” immediately, I mean, when was the last time anyone offered you anything without you having to ask? Or rather, how many of you in your day were offered an internship without “tarmacking” for it? Without applying to 1,000 organisations?

Anyway, without missing a beat, she asked me, “Do you pay?”

For a few seconds, I was speechless. And then just to be sure that I had heard her right, I asked, “Pardon?”

“Do you pay?” she asked again, stressing the word pay.

NO, WE DON'T PAY

I informed her that no, we did not pay. Interns at the Nation get a small allowance that facilitates one’s transport to and from work as well as lunch, but I did not tell her that, I had a feeling that she would scoff at the stipend.

As you might have guessed, she turned the internship opportunity down, saying, “A big organisation like yours doesn’t pay?”

My eyes widened with surprise. Excuse me, but I thought students are supposed to value work experience, whether the internship is paid or not. I mean, every job advertisement nowadays requires the one applying to have some sort of skills; a degree, diploma or certificate is not enough. Employers are looking for someone with some expertise to bring on board besides the papers.

I got myself three internships before I got my first job, and none paid, but I was grateful for the learning opportunity, especially since I knew an organisation where interns paid to get work experience. I worked as if I was an employee on a salary and benefits. My third internship was after graduation – I decided that I would not sit idle at home waiting to get a job, the job would get me doing another job, albeit unpaid. This internship lasted almost eight months, but by then, I knew I was being taken advantage of, and so terminated the internship myself. I just woke up one day and decided not to report to work.

That same day in the afternoon, the boss’s secretary called me and asked me to attend an interview the following day. I was offered a job. Yes, I know, I should have quit sooner. That said, had I not secured that internship which gave me an opportunity to show my ability, I would not have got that job.

Internship is priceless for a student, not only do you learn what you will never learn in a classroom, you also get a chance to come into contact with the very same people who could offer you a job, or recommend you for one. And yet here was one who had sneered at such an opportunity.

It reminds me of a friend’s brother. The man was brilliant, went overseas for his education, came back with impressive papers and got job offer after job offer, offers that he all turned down. Reason? The pay he was being offered was beneath him. His argument was that with all his education, surely he deserved better. That was about eight years ago, and as I write this, he is still waiting for his dream pay.

Come on! We all have to start somewhere. You might not like that somewhere or the terms on offer, but you will not remain there forever, will you?

[email protected]; Twitter: @cnjerius. The writer is the Daily Nation features editor

***

FEEDBACK

I am a great reader of your articles for quite some years now. I have just read your article on how you got lost and it has really made my night. I am going to bed in very jovial mood. The only conviction I have in my mind is that you must have taken one too many in your Chama meeting (I’m always suspicious of their real agenda, ladies’ Chama meetings). The petrol station attendant could have been more sober than you and was concerned of your safety. That’s why he was wondering if there could be someone else sober enough in the car to drive you home. I’m still laughing.

Nick

 

Your article was fantastic in that it was from your heart and very authentic journalism. Let me surprise you that all of us at one time do get lost but of course who wants to talk of their failures, especially men!   Keep it up. I love your writing.

Geoffrey

 

Sorry for what happened to you that night. And thanks to God for protecting you. When you get lost and ask for direction only to be misled and confused, that’s when tears start rolling.

Martin

 

I thought I should write to tell you that Tatu City does in fact exist and many people and companies are investing there. If you had been passing during the day you could have dropped in for a cup of tea and a tour of the project. There is a lot going on. 

Tim