2 ms·

In some situations sure, I can agree with that. But to say it makes society tangibly worse I strongly disagree with because it assumes that all or at least most

by rapind 17y ago

In some situations sure, I can agree with that. But to say it makes society tangibly worse I strongly disagree with because it assumes that all or at least most unpaid interships will benefit the internee. I don't think that's the case.

cwan 17y ago
Then why would an unpaid internee stay at their position if they didn't see any value to themselves? There generally is at least some value even if it's a line item on a resume (that can have significant cumulative value)
- rapind 17y ago
  Seriously? Have you never worked somewhere because you hoped it would pay off huge in the end, even though you had other and higher paying options? Just because a job is attractive, doesn't mean it's going to further your career or somehow increase your value. And if you can't pay the bills while you're pursuing it, who ends up paying? Not the company who got your hours for free.
  - cwan 17y ago
    Yes - but the point being presumably you wouldn't stay at that dead end unpaid position forever. As for the huge payoff in the end, that's sort of what entrepreneurship is as well - there's absolutely no certainty of a payoff but one does hope for it. Why would you take an unpaid internship though if there wasn't some expectation of "more"? If there is then yes, there's a value to that "option". But presumably this isn't the case in some job like telemarketing or other really marginal menial tasks that you might realize within the first couple weeks if not month of doing it?
  - apotheon 17y ago
    > Have you never worked somewhere because you hoped it would pay off huge in the end, even though you had other and higher paying options? That's called a "gamble". The potential for loss is inherent in that type of decision. Does the potential failure mean the potential win should be prohibited?
apotheon 17y ago
Not necessarily. It can also make society worse off overall in part because certain types of work just don't get done.

by rapind 17y ago

cwan 17y ago

Then why would an unpaid internee stay at their position if they didn't see any value to themselves? There generally is at least some value even if it's a line item on a resume (that can have significant cumulative value)

rapind 17y ago
Seriously? Have you never worked somewhere because you hoped it would pay off huge in the end, even though you had other and higher paying options? Just because a job is attractive, doesn't mean it's going to further your career or somehow increase your value. And if you can't pay the bills while you're pursuing it, who ends up paying? Not the company who got your hours for free.
- cwan 17y ago
  Yes - but the point being presumably you wouldn't stay at that dead end unpaid position forever. As for the huge payoff in the end, that's sort of what entrepreneurship is as well - there's absolutely no certainty of a payoff but one does hope for it. Why would you take an unpaid internship though if there wasn't some expectation of "more"? If there is then yes, there's a value to that "option". But presumably this isn't the case in some job like telemarketing or other really marginal menial tasks that you might realize within the first couple weeks if not month of doing it?
- apotheon 17y ago
  > Have you never worked somewhere because you hoped it would pay off huge in the end, even though you had other and higher paying options? That's called a "gamble". The potential for loss is inherent in that type of decision. Does the potential failure mean the potential win should be prohibited?

apotheon 17y ago

Not necessarily. It can also make society worse off overall in part because certain types of work just don't get done.