Sameen Shakeel
Gulistan e Johar,
Karachi, Sindh, 75290
19 October’24
Jasarat Newspaper
Karachi, Sindh
Subject: Ending the Exploitation of Interns
Dear Editor,
While the concept of gaining experience is important, it has become increasingly common for companies to demand full-time commitment from interns without offering any form of compensation. This practice is not only unfair; it is also unsustainable for many who are trying to build their careers while managing the financial realities of life. It’s mind-boggling to see how some companies have lost touch with the purpose of internships. First, the entire point of an internship is to ‘’gain’’ experience, not to arrive with it already in hand. Yet, many businesses today seem to expect interns to bring professional-level experience to the table. They demand full-time commitment, yet fail to recognize that internships are meant to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, not serve as a substitute for a fully trained employee.
Second, interns often find themselves working on-site, dedicating substantial hours to tasks that contribute to the success of the company—all for nothing more than a certificate of completion in most cases. This disparity raises serious ethical questions about the value of labor, especially when hiring managers fail to recognize that for inexperienced students, time is still money.
Interns should be evaluated based on their education, relevant coursework, and skills they’ve developed along the way. Anything beyond that—additional experience or specialized training—should be considered a bonus, not a prerequisite. It’s time for companies to realign their expectations and remember what internships are truly about: learning and growth.
To foster a truly supportive environment for young professionals, companies should offer at least a decent stipend to help cover basic expenses. This small gesture not only eases the financial burden but also motivates interns to engage wholeheartedly in their roles. They deserve to be treated as contributors rather than as free laborers.
Sincerely,
Sameen Shakeel
