Unpaid Internships and Volunteer Work: Opportunity or Exploitation

Unpaid internships and so-called ”volunteer” roles have always been presented to me as incredible opportunities—ways to gain experience, make industry connections, and get a foot in the door, and let’s not forget exposure. Companies package these roles as stepping stones that will take me from the ranks of hopeful applicants to a thriving career. And I believed it, just like many of us do. However, my own experiences, combined with what I’ve seen countless others go through, have shown me that behind this veneer of opportunity lies a disheartening reality: companies shamelessly exploiting free labor while pretending they’re doing us a favor.

In this post, I want to take a hard look at why unpaid internships and volunteer roles are inherently exploitative, and why it’s time we, as a collective of workers, refuse to let companies take advantage of us any longer.

The Illusion of Opportunity

I remember the first time I applied for an unpaid internship. The ad painted it as an unparalleled opportunity to ”learn from the best” and ”gain hands-on experience” in a competitive industry. They spoke about all the invaluable lessons I’d learn and the incredible exposure I would get by being there. Honestly, it sounded like a dream come true. But once I started, I quickly realized what they really meant: long hours of menial tasks that no one else wanted to do.

I found myself doing mindless admin, answering calls, and entering data into spreadsheets—over and over again. I wasn’t gaining any real skills or insights; I was just doing the work that someone, anyone, could do. And all of this was unpaid. The company wasn’t interested in training or mentoring me—they just needed free labor. It hit me that they were only using me, and countless others like me, as a means to save on their labor costs. I don’t even have the experience on my resume, anymore.

The ”experience” I was promised was essentially the same kind of experience a regular employee would get—only they’d be getting paid for it. I quickly saw that the illusion of growth and exposure was nothing more than bait to attract eager people like me. We were tricked into believing that the experience alone was worth giving up our time, energy, and, honestly, our financial stability.

Labor Laws and the Loopholes

The more I learned, the more I realized this wasn’t just my own misfortune; it was part of a much bigger problem. We have labor laws in many countries that should protect us from this kind of exploitation. These laws say that if someone is working in a way that benefits the company, they deserve to be paid for it. Yet, time and time again, I’ve seen how companies use clever language to get around their obligations.

For example, in the United States, internships are supposed to benefit the intern more than the company. But who is really holding companies accountable for this? The guidelines are vague and easily ignored, allowing employers to use the term ”internship” as a shield to justify not paying for legitimate labor.

Even in places like the UK, where internships longer than four weeks are expected to be paid, employers find ways to label these positions as ”work experience” to dodge their obligations. It’s frustrating to see how easily companies exploit these loopholes—loopholes that were meant to protect us from being taken advantage of.

Privilege and the Unpaid Internship

The worst part about unpaid internships is that they privilege the wealthy. I had to balance these unpaid roles with part-time jobs just to keep myself afloat. I know others who had to drop out because they simply couldn’t afford to work for free. Only those who have enough financial support can afford to take unpaid internships, meaning that people from lower-income backgrounds are automatically excluded from entire industries.

It’s no surprise that fields like publishing, entertainment, and fashion continue to be dominated by people from more privileged backgrounds. When taking an unpaid role is the only way to get your foot in the door, those without financial backing are left behind. How can we talk about diversity and inclusion when the only people who can afford to start their careers are those who can afford to work for nothing?

I remember seeing a friend of mine pass up her dream internship at a major company because it was unpaid, and she couldn’t afford to live without an income. Watching that happen showed me how these practices ensure that only those with privilege make it through the doors of opportunity.

Companies and Their Ethical Failures

What makes all of this even more maddening is that the same companies benefiting from free labor often boast about how progressive they are. They post on social media about diversity, equality, and social responsibility, but when it comes to internships and volunteer roles, they fail to put their money where their mouth is.

An ethical employer should recognize that all labor deserves compensation. If I am giving my time, skills, and energy to a company, then that company has a responsibility to pay me for my contributions. But instead, what I see all too often is a lack of respect for the efforts of interns, who are treated as disposable resources rather than valued members of a team.

I was once given more work than some of the junior staff members, yet I wasn’t paid a cent. It was a toxic environment that left me feeling disrespected and undervalued. Unfortunately, my experience isn’t unique—far from it. Many interns I’ve talked to have faced similar situations where they felt overworked, underappreciated, and financially strapped.

The Myth of ”Paying Your Dues”

I can’t even count how many times I’ve been told that unpaid internships are just a part of ”paying your dues.” If you’re not willing to work for free, people say, you’re not committed enough. But this argument is so flawed. It’s a relic of an era when opportunity was scarce, and jobs could only be accessed by proving yourself through months of unpaid work. In today’s world, where we talk so much about fairness and equality, why are we still upholding such an unfair system?

Instead of forcing young professionals to sacrifice financial stability, companies should see internships and entry-level positions as investments. By paying interns and providing structured training, they are investing in a more motivated, diverse, and skilled workforce. Instead, the current system only serves to uphold inequity and shut out the most passionate and talented people.

It’s Time for Change

The system of unpaid internships and volunteer roles is broken. It’s exploitative, discriminatory, and harmful. If we want to create a more inclusive society, we have to challenge the idea that it’s acceptable for companies to take advantage of free labor.

Governments need to step up and strengthen labor laws that actually prevent companies from exploiting interns. These guidelines should be enforced, and companies that break them should face real consequences. In addition, laws need to be updated to reflect the realities of modern work and to close the loopholes that have allowed this exploitation to thrive.

But change isn’t just the government’s responsibility. Companies need to take a long, hard look at how they treat interns and volunteers. They need to recognize that young people are not disposable resources—they are the future of the workforce. Paying interns fairly should be non-negotiable, and internships should be about learning and growth, not about taking advantage of eager young people willing to do anything for a foot in the door.

And we, as young professionals, need to change our own mindset. We need to stop seeing unpaid work as a necessary step toward our dreams. I’m tired of being told that working for free is proof of my commitment. I shouldn’t have to sacrifice my financial security just to prove I’m worthy. Instead, I want to celebrate those companies that do the right thing—those that pay interns fairly, provide real training, and support us in building our careers.

Ending the Era of Free Labor

Unpaid internships are exploitative and unfair, and they need to end. I’m tired of seeing friends forced to give up their dreams because they can’t afford to work for free. I’m tired of companies pretending they’re doing us a favor by letting us work for them without pay. It’s time we stop accepting this as the norm.

Every one of us deserves fair compensation, respect, and real opportunity—regardless of our background or how much money we have. Ending the exploitative practice of unpaid internships is a crucial step in building a more inclusive workforce, one where everyone has the chance to thrive.

We deserve better. It’s time we demanded it.