My Tech Talk: 6–14–2021

There are legal unpaid internships, but they’re almost always through a school or compliment your schoolwork.

No Promise of Pay — The intern and the employer clearly understand that there is absolutely zero expectation of compensation. If there is any promise of compensation, express or implied, you’re an employee.

Educational Training — The internship provides training that is similar to an educational environment. For example, clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.

Extends Educational Program — If it’s tied to the intern’s formal education program (integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit).

Corresponds to the Academic Calendar — The internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.

Limited Duration — The internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.

Compliments Paid Employee’s Work — The intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while still being significantly educational.

No Promise of a Job After — The intern and the employer understand that the intern is not entitled to a paid job after it’s over.