Unpaid internships must currently meet these standards:

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment.

2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern.

3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff.

4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded.

5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship.

6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship. I’m

Some people feel it’s exploitative and others feel like it’s a great learning opportunity. There’s also the side of the debate where privilege comes into play as people who are financially well off can afford to take unpaid internships while others have to work possibly irrelevant jobs to stay afloat instead of taking an internship.

So what does everyone think?