How to Intern AND be in Control.

Anyone whose degree ends in BA (Bachelor of Arts) will understand the struggle of living in a world where your qualification is perceived essentially pointless unless you have a trust fund or an inspiring Instagram page. I have neither and am therefore left to either give into a soul destroying job for the sake of a few bob OR commit to the lifestyle I chose during UCAS and offer up my savings and dignity in the hope that someone, somewhere might eventually grant me a paying job if I agree to begin my working career slaving for free.

Yes, interning. It’s a corrupt system, one made only more so by the easy, unquestionable advertising of the internet whose job is not to filter out the bloodsuckers. Surprisingly most big companies and banks follow the laws laid out to protect vulnerable graduates (we are like flightless, naked baby birds) and offer a wage during this ‘work experience’. However, smaller, newer companies – particularly arty ones who know how willingly an illustrating graduate would chop off both legs to work for them – take advantage of the desperate youth and have them work 5 days a week, 9 hours a day, for nothing. They get labor for free and can build their business and in return we are one step closer to perhaps getting a paid job. Seems fair. Needless to say complaining is futile when there’s a whole host of replacements ready to swoop in at the first sign of self-respect. They weren’t joking about this millennial shit you know.

So from September to December I did a PR internship with a cute, boutique company who specialised in the food and drink industry. Lots of glamour, lots of booze (cause duh PR).Thus far my blog has been a little bitter about interning in general but I have to say I rather loved working there. They are a great company. This left me feeling very conflicted as I resented working for nothing but I relished everything I learnt and achieved. They must have liked me too as I was given a lot of responsibility and trusted with accounts and left to more or less get on with it.Admittedly I wish I had researched interning more but because I was a) bored and b) panicking about  life, I just dived right in. So I’ve made a list (cause we all know how much I love a list) of all the things I think people going into an internship should know, and things I wish I had known beforehand.Nothing screams ‘exploit me’ like a naïve little face willing to work and that pisses me off. We should be nourished, not exploited. If this list helps at least one person get experience without having to spend £1200 of their own money on travel then my work here is complete.

THE LIST

• First and foremost – and I cannot stress this enough – really think hard about the sector you apply for. I had never thought about going into PR before and thankfully I was lucky. But it will be the biggest waste of time if you’re working for next to nothing and then decide actually, no thanks, this isn’t helpful.
• So if you do decide it’s a waste of your time, don’t be afraid to quit. You don’t owe them anything. Put yourself first. You’re great.
• Know your rights. If you’re not being paid you shouldn’t be doing work that actively contributes to the company. Most businesses will lure you in with travel and lunch expenses but that doesn’t count. They must pay you minimum wage. If not then make sure they at least pay you the full travel cost. Some companies will try and cap it but if they do put a cap in their ass (jk don’t).
• If you’re convinced that the company will do wonders for you CV then stick with it. Sometimes people are rude and sometimes jobs aren’t interesting and it can be tempting to give up, but that’s life all over. Make even the most miserable day work to your advantage. 
• Keep a log of all your work. I was doing a lot of copy-writing and every time I completed anything I’d email it to my personal email. I now have proof and a portfolio ready to be whipped out and flashed at prospective employers.
• Try and live with a relative. Not getting paid is expensive and my taste for food only increased with the stress of not being able to afford food. Try and convince your parents that this is not only an investment in your future, but also theirs (good nursing homes aren’t exactly cheap you know…)
• Never forget that you are also doing them a favour. You are not a slave monkey. Rinse them for all the knowledge they have. Ask 1001 questions. Learn how to scan things.

Internships are crappy and only really available to the well off or those lucky enough to have a Dad near London to provide free board and lots of fancy food (me). I would say fuck the system but as I am currently a system whore it would be hypocritical of me.  I guess the best bit of advice is to actually do internships during summer while at university and beat them at their own game. Good luck.