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How to… Survive an unpaid internship

27th October 2015

In a competitive job market and when you lack practical experience then often it is necessary to take on an unpaid internship in the hope of it eventually leading to a paid position.

Bear these tips in mind for living on nearly nothing.

Choose your internship carefully:

Unpaid internships work because they suggest, rather cheaply, that a little free work now is required for riches later. This often isn’t the case and the sting of being mis-sold is painfully multiplied upon realising that working for free actually means paying to work.

If two internships seem similar, pick the one which has the best guarantee of work at its conclusion, and, if neither do, then choose by location (which is cheaper to get to?), costs (what exactly are the ‘expenses’ they cover?), and hours (which leaves room for other work?).

Negotiate everything:

Now is not the time to be polite about money. If a company offers to cover your travel costs then let them. Your employer is using your brain for free: get what you’re entitled to.

Enquire to see if you are required five days a week. If not, or if you are capable of doing the work in fewer days and can successfully argue your case, then use leftover time for a part-time job.

Get a part-time job which pays – and provides:

Apply for positions in a bar or restaurant, where you’ll earn tips aside your wage.

Working part-time in a local cafe is an ideal solution because besides tips, you’re likely to get free lunch thrown in which can suffice as the main meal of the day, reducing your weekly shop to breakfast and light evening meals.

An alternate is to tutor, which pays well and offers such flexible hours that you should be able to fit it around even the most demanding schedule.

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