The debate over the employee benefits and compensation ramifications of paying versus not paying your interns is still raging. Unlike many other debates currently being argued in various spheres in the United States however, it’s fairly easy to look across the battlefield and see the perspective of the other side.
Interns, entry-level workers, and former interns just starting in their career want more compensation. They think experience, connections, and office perks aren’t enough to replace a salary, or even a stipend. On the other side are business leaders, who have to view their organization from a long perspective and balance employees and profits, making difficult decisions to stay competitive in their sector.
These two opposing sides and schools of thought represent traditional versus new ways of thinking about internships and the nature of work, and these views influence company policies affecting employee engagement and millennials at work. Every company and workplace is different. There are simply too many variables in any office to make paying interns a Commandment etched in stone for everyone to obey. However, as a millennial who has worked for free to gain “experience” before, I need to make a case for paying interns. Bias aside, paying interns is worth the money.

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