Within the next couple of weeks, scores of college students and senior high-school students on summer vacation will join the workforce. Many will have jobs at summer resorts, while others will perhaps work as life guards, as wait staff at restaurants, or toil at some of the state parks. Others will have positions as interns at some prestigious Fortune 500 companies. And that’s where I have a problem.

Many of these companies that hire college students as interns do not offer paid internships. The students work 40 hours per week with no pay. Interns provide their own transportation and pay for their own lunches. The premise is that students gain insight about the company with an opportunity to be hired upon graduation, although there is no guarantee.

Some argue that it is a great experience, and that the internship provides an excellent resume comment. I say hogwash. How can companies expect college students, who are probably already burdened with debt, to work for free? Can’t these companies at least offer a minimum wage and partially reimburse the students for their transportation? I sure think so. Additionally, some colleges even require students to participate in unpaid internships for college credit. Double hogwash!

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