Interesting Concept
While browsing the Sports Illustrated On Campus blog recently, I stumbled across this entry, which details an interesting way of paying interns.
Apparently, the University of Notre Dame has worked deals with three newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, to reserve spots for Notre Dame journalism students. The university agrees to pay the interns' salaries, so the paper essentially receives free labor.
It might be just me, but doesn't this seem like a win-win? Papers seem to be very selective with their internships, but if the publication isn't footing the bill, shouldn't more opportunities open up?
I realize that most schools don't have the resources of Notre Dame (I mean, they do have God on their side), but in a business where papers can barely afford to keep full-time staffers these days, maybe they're on to something here.
Comments
I had to pay tuition for my internship! Not. Fair. At. All. But that's what I get for getting an all American state-school college education.
Posted by: Stefanie | July 24, 2007 3:09 PM
Sure, it's a win-win for Notre Dame and the papers involved. It's a big loss, however, for any intern who doesn't attend Notre Dame. And I bet the ND group will be a diverse bunch, to boot.
In reality, the university is purchasing internships for its students. It's bad enough when papers resort to unpaid internships (where only the rich and richer can afford to eat the cost) to bring in students. This is far worse.
Posted by: Derek | July 24, 2007 5:27 PM
I have no problem paying tuition for an internship. Especially considering if I had not done an internship those credit hours would have to be filled by a class, which I'd have to pay tuition for. Either way, I'm paying tuition for those 3 or 4 hours. Might as well get some actual use and experience for my money than waste my time in a classroom with tests.
Posted by: Becky | July 25, 2007 1:40 PM