Do For-Profit Companies Have to Pay Interns?

Students studying topics like computer science or engineering may receive a paycheck while doing paid internships, but most students today only qualify for unpaid internships. While you should get course credit for the work that you do for an individual or a company, you may not receive any type of compensation for that work. The government does not require that major corporations or nonprofit organizations pay interns. There are certain circumstances that the government uses to determine whether a for-profit company should pay an intern.

What is an Internship?

An internship is a practical learning experience that you do while in college. If you study fashion design, you might do an internship for a design house, or if you study business, you might do an internship in the human resources department of a major corporation. While you will gain a better understanding of the field and how that specific business operates, you may do simple tasks and do more gopher work than anything else. A journalism student who interns at a local newspaper office might dream of writing headlines and articles but spend more time doing research, editing work and proofreading articles.

How to Find an Internship

There are two ways you can find paid internships. The first is with a visit to the career development office at your college. This office will have listings from local companies that need help. Workers in the department can help you tailor your resume and cover letter when applying for those positions. The office may also have listings from alumni looking for students like you. If your college does not have a career center, you can look for internships via job sites and posting boards online. Before accepting any position you apply for, make sure that your college approves and will give you credit.

Related: What Are the Best Types of Internships for Human Resources Majors?

Are Interns Paid?

For-profit companies have the right to offer unpaid internships to students. According to the United States Department of Labor, those positions must meet six requirements. The internship must feature some type of training like you would get in a regular class, provide some benefit to you and have you working under the guidance of trained professionals. If you do not receive any type of payment, the internship must also not come with any guarantee of a job later or provide the company or owner of the company with any direct benefits. You and the employer must agree at the beginning that you will not receive any compensation for your work.

What If You Should Get Paid?

Doing an internship, even an unpaid one, can help you in the long run because it provides you with practical skills and lets you form professional relationships. If you accept a position and find yourself doing work beyond what the employer explained in the beginning, you should contact the Department of Labor. You should also get in touch with the Department of Labor if the internship violates any of the rules put in place regarding unpaid internships. There is a chance that the government can seek compensation for you.

Many college programs now require that students do at least one internship before graduating. While many of these positions are unpaid, some employers will pay students for the work they do. Paid internships give you compensation for doing work in your field.