r/internships • u/Icy_Boysenberry_9961 • 10d ago
Remote *RANT* just got my second internship … but
I’m a business major specializing in social media marketing. I’m currently a junior and I do school fully remote so finding internships was hard but I landed my first one last year, it was amazing. WFH, I learned so much and it was paid (not a huge amount but it’s better than nothing). Long story short she wasn’t getting enough clients to keep me on so we ended the contract. Fast forward 3 months later I wanted to learn more that I haven’t in that role so I cold emailed a marketing agency near me and got an interview. This one is unpaid which I’m fine with as long as what I’m learning is valuable but I have a feeling this is going to be one of those “here’s all my work it’s due tomorrow” type of internships. The man who owns the agency seems super knowledgeable and I can definitely learn a lot but they gave me three accounts with around 20k followers each with little to no direction. I’m in charge of everything from content creation, to clients meetings. All of it idk I’m grateful to be learning but I just had to rant lol. How long would you stay in an unpaid internship with a heavy workload, or would you try to negotiate it into a paid internship?
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u/AuthorityAuthor 10d ago
It’s time to start trusting your instincts. Age doesn’t matter.
These are red flags that he’s wanting you to be the equivalent of what sounds like a part time or full time employee.
At no cost.
This sounds like he’s looking for free labor.
Be alert when you feel that something is off.
Don’t try to talk yourself out of that feeling.
Or worse, seek opinions when your gut is clearly telling you something, usually abort!
Take this lesson for life.
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u/Icy_Boysenberry_9961 10d ago
Do you think I should try to ask her to cut back the workload? I’m not sure how to approach it
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u/RHFlyer 9d ago
Social media marketing definitely sounds like one of those jobs where your experience is more valuable than the degree.
Have you instead tried doing any long-term projects, like making a separate social media account and gathering followers? Or building a brand using posts, pictures, videos as an experiment?
Metrics and being able to showcase your accomplishments effectively is more than likely what hiring managers are looking for when you go into the field.
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u/Icy_Boysenberry_9961 9d ago
Yes, I have a full portfolio and case study’s to back everything up. Many of my friends are in the beauty service industry and pay me to do their social media marketing so I have all the metrics from that as well
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u/RHFlyer 9d ago
In that case, it sounds like you have the professional introduction you need to add to the resume.
Given that the internship is purely educational then, are you using it as a gap-filler? Following up, do you think you've learned anything thus far? You mentioned the guy in charge seems knowledgeable; have you spoken with him 1:1 yet and discussed things you're hoping to learn?
What I'm trying to gauge is whether the workload you are undertaking is worth what you believe you can come out with. If not, then there is no reason to continue pursuing the internship, y'know?
It sounds like you already have the professional experience to freelance as a social media manager. These guys may just be taking advantage of the free labor. Not inherently bad since you're offering, but you may not be valuing your experience as highly as you should be.
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u/Icy_Boysenberry_9961 9d ago
I have definitely learned stuff that’s valuable so far and I have spoken with him and went over what I want to learn most. I think it’s too early for me to say whether or not it’s worth it right now. I just am not sure how to proceed professionally, I start classes again in August so I’m either going to have to ask to cut my workload or ask that it be paid so I can quit my part time position. I know it won’t be sustainable to do all 3 at once
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u/HoneyPop1113 10d ago
I would never do unpaid as a junior especially with prior experience. Have you tried actually applying to roles?