Choosing between a paid and unpaid internship may seem like a no-brainer, but there are several factors you should consider when making the decision. From your financial circumstances to the type of experience you\u2019re looking to gain, finding the right internship should take into account both your current situation and your future goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before we dive into the full list of things that may affect your decision, let\u2019s cover the basics. What\u2019s the difference between a paid internship and an unpaid one? The answer seems pretty simple: money. But it\u2019s actually a bit more complicated than that. Unpaid internships need to meet stricter standards<\/a> than paid ones and are more likely to be eligible for college credit. They are a great way to gain valuable hands-on experience that can be hard to come by in school. Unpaid internships can also help you land a job and grow your professional network<\/a>. To find out more about credit requirements for your school and see how an internship meets your financial and professional goals, set up a meeting with your advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re ready to take a more in-depth look at other factors, we\u2019ve come up with a list of questions to help you narrow down your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you really need a summer job that pays, your focus should be on either a paid internship or a non-internship opportunity. But if you have the resources to support yourself (or are able to get another job in addition to your internship) an unpaid internship may offer some perks that a paid one doesn\u2019t. For example, many small companies don\u2019t have the budgets to pay interns, but sometimes they can offer a lot more hands-on experience than larger companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key is to find out what opportunities the company is able to provide and to make the most of them. Maybe you can set up weekly meetings with the leadership team or one-on-one mentoring with a senior manager. Companies want interns who are motivated and enthusiastic, and they\u2019re usually excited to work with you to provide the kind of experience you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. What do you need to get out of the internship?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Which type of internship will be most helpful to your career path?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n