Internships can be a game-changer for both students and small businesses. They provide eager talent with real-world experience while helping business owners tackle important tasks. But here’s the catch—internships should always be paid.
In this episode of Brand for Good, I’m sharing why I have never, and will never, hire an unpaid intern. I talk about my own experience as a paid PR intern at a comedy club—how that summer gave me confidence, hands-on experience, and an incredible learning opportunity. That experience shaped the way I see internships today and set the standard for how I hire interns in my own business.
I also dive into the data—why paid interns receive more job offers, how unpaid internships create barriers for students from lower-income backgrounds, and why a Brand for Good should never expect young professionals to work for free. If you’re a business owner, I challenge you to rethink your approach to internships—and do better.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why internships are a win-win for students and businesses
✅ The eye-opening statistics on paid vs. unpaid internships
✅ How unpaid internships create barriers for students from lower-income backgrounds
✅ Why ethical brands should always pay their interns
✅ Practical alternatives if your business is on a tight budget
🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with your network and leave a review! Let’s create a world where businesses do good—including for their interns.
Resources & Links
📌 Follow me on LinkedIn
📌 Learn more about Brand for Good at Prosper for Purpose
📌 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) internship research: www.naceweb.org
Brand for Good Links
Email your thoughts about this episode: connect@prosperforpurpose.com
Join the Peerless Brands Facebook community by Prosper for Purpose: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peerlessbrands
Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineschuchart/
Follow Lorraine on Instagram: @lorraineschuchart
Follow Prosper for Purpose on Instagram: @prosper4purpose
Additional resources from Prosper for Purpose: https://www.prosperforpurpose.com
Episode link: https://theprosperproject.libsyn.com/website/episode-135-the-ethics-of-internships
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