We've joined together with the TUC, Intern Aware, Interns Anonymous and Graduate Fog on this campaign, which calls for an end to unfair, unpaid internships.
Find out about the launch event taking place in Feb 2012, in conjunction with TUC and download further resources.
Lisa, 22, explains her experience as an unpaid intern.
“I got my unpaid internship working for a third sector organisation by applying online. I was asked to be in the office from 9-6pm every day, though my boss said most interns arrived at 8.45 to show initiative. One month in I asked if I could have Friday’s off so I could work to pay my rent. I was told that it would not be possible and was asked to leave if I couldn’t commit to working full time. At the end of my internship I am £2000 out of pocket and due to my financial situation I had to leave early and I could not rely on my employer for a positive reference.”
To start our campaign and put an end to experiences like Lisa's, we're asking all University careers services to stop advertising unpaid internships on their websites. University careers services shouldn't be complicit in the exploitation of their students. We are creating posters to put up in your careers services, and across your campuses these will be available shortly - we'll also be providing students unions with the resources they need to complete local action on campus against this common practice.
You can also take action. We need your voice.
Over the next weeks and months, we'll be stepping up the pressure on MPs, University careers services and recruiters who offer unpaid internships, but we need your help. Have you completed an unpaid internship and are willing to talk to us about it? If so, we'd love to hear from you. E-mail liz.rawlings@nus.org.uk with your stories.
Dannie Grufferty
Vice-President Society & Citizenship