In a recent article in the Chicago Tribune titled. "College students pay to work at unpaid internships in the Summer", it discusses how college students are now paying different companies so they can get internships in the summer and so they do not have to apply at a million places without a response. Internship placement companies such as the University of Dreams and the Washington Center are having college students apply and pay a fee for internships in their major in order to build up their resume for the future. One student paid almost $8,000 to the University of Dreams for an internship in New York City while other students do not feel the need in wasting so much money for something they could easily get through hard work. Some students feel that they get lazy and forget to apply to certain internships and lose opportunities and with these companies helping them look for these internships, they have a better shot among other people. While these internships are amazing opportunities for the future and an investment towards your future goals, is getting paid nothing while you pay almost the cost of tuition for a semester really worth it? One student in this article is trying to find ways to fund this investment for her future, but is it worth it if you could find something closer to home that will pay you for your efforts. I know it is hard to put out your resumes at a million different places and wait for a response to at least one place, but the hard work behind the effort shows you how prepared you will be in the future when it comes to looking for a job.
To me, this article could relate to Milton Friedman's idea about how economic freedom is part of total freedom because of free choice. These students are getting stripped away the chance to make money for their work and instead of them getting paid almost $8000 for their work, they have to pay that for an opportunity that could come free through hard work. Even though the government is not playing a role in this situation, some students are having their economic freedom taken away by students who are willing to pay that much money for an internship that other students could get a chance at if it was free. Students who can not afford to pay that kind of money are losing the chance of getting these amazing opportunities, but maybe instead of not getting paid for that work, they could find something else. But what happens if these students want those opportunities, they are made to settle for something lower that in the end could lead them nowhere. Just like in class, when we talked about not being able to have that extra money from our paycheck because it was being put in a retirement fund for us without our decision, these students are facing the same dilemma. They are not having the decision about these internships because they are given to the students who are willing to pay almost $9,000.
When it comes to our economic freedom and our free choice, these companies are not taking into affect, the students who can not afford that type of money even if they had some financial help. They are not looking at what if other students wanted a shot at these internships, but they can not afford to pay for their services. Students are getting stripped away their economic freedom just like we can not smoke Cuban cigars because of the government. People will always find a way to take away our economic freedom through some type of action, but some people can always stand their ground and fight back.
Here's the link to this article: www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0301-intens-story--20100301,0,1567115.story
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I would have to disagree with your idea that this situation is against Milton Freedman's views, and that this situation is not allowing some people for full freedom because of their lack from economic freedom. Freedman believes that anything that can be privatized, should be privatized. So, if companies can begin to privatize their internships and charging money for them, I think Freedman would encourage this. This does not take away our economic freedom because we still have the choice of whether or not to pay for the internship. Also, now this will allow companies to compete with each other for the best interns in a whole new way. There will be the companies that don't charge anything for an internship, and the companies that do. For the companies that do, this could allow for new profit for them, and allow for economic growth; therefore, giving the intern that paid for the internship a better experience. I think this was a great post, and a good connection.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting article. However, Freedman’s ideology is best keeping it private. He would think it is good to have companies privatizing their internship. You made a good connection relating Friedman’s idea that economic freedom is part of total freedom. However, I am disagreeing with your claim that students are paying for their work. This is completely a choice matter; students are not coerced into paying for internships. I personally look at this as paying for tuition; there is nothing wrong with it because we pay to have our education, so it’s okay to pay a company if you actually choose to get some experience from them. Also, it is a company’s freedom of choice rather or not charges for internship.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with you as well. Like the other two said Milton Friedman wants everything to be privatized, and therefore would think its a great idea to have these private internships. I think it is the students choice whether or not they want to pay for an internship, so their freedom isn't being tampered with in anyway. The one part in your article that made me think was when you said what if the kids cant afford these internships? But like John said some of these companies will choose not to charge for internships or charge very little, which would make it available to those who are financially unstable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I believe that a person should not have to pay for their internship it should be something that should be earned with hard work. I especially belive that a person shouldnt have to pay because certain people do not mee the financial requirements. Their are many young men and women who barely have enough to pay for their tuition. Then some companies want as much as eight thousand which is basically a semester of tuition at the university. I know me especially wouldnt mind paying the money if I had it but I know that I do not have eight grand to spend on an internship so I could only achieve it through my blood sweat and tears.
ReplyDeleteit is very unfortunate that we see this happening. I agree with you, why should we pay to work? but look at what is going on in America today. It is impossible to get jobs and the unemployment rate is yet to increase, so because companies have such a high demand for each job they are able to not only decrease salaries, but in general make people PAY for experiences which technically makes them more competitive because of the experience they will receive.
ReplyDeletesmith and estranged labor plays a role in this scenerio as well because the labor that we create dosent belong to us.
Not only are we not getting payed for our labor we pay to labor. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? what has society come to?
Erica, I would have to agree with you on why should the students have to pay for internships.I feel that a student should not be required to pay for their internship because they are already giving away free labor but wait you have to pay them to give away your free labor. But then on the other hand Friedman was all about privatization so he would like this concept of having students pay for their internships.He believes that anything can be privatized.And if these companies are privatizing their internships and are having the students pay for them then they are just making a new profit by giving a little experience to those who have zero amount.
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree that Friedman would continue with this idea of privatizing internships. On top of these companies making money, it also provides another sense of competition among students. As unfortunate as it is that some are unable to afford this that can in turn minimize their future or even choose not to pay for one, it wont stop others that will. If the option is there, someone will take the opportunity. However in my own opinion, I still believe that it is ridiculous that companies are doing this to students.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Friedman and what he said about privatizing internships. Because of the economy companies have to try to earn the most money as possible and one way the they see it is to charge for internships. My personal opinion is its ridiculous to charge for a job that is done for free.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you in this article. Internships should be earned by an individuals work. People should not have to pay for an internship. This should not be privatized. Interships benefit both the student and thecompany. It is crazy and ridiculous to pay to work at a company.
ReplyDeleteI think that people paying for internships is absolutely ridiculous. I know that in todays society internships and jobs are hard to come by. But i believe by these companies having people pay is in essence hurting their business. Just because someone pays for a job doesn't mean they are good, these companies could be missing out on someone who can truly help their company. I feel like Friedman would agree with this though, since we are in an economic tough time and these companies need as much income s possible.
ReplyDelete