Since there is a far greater number of unpaid internships over paid internships today, there have been some investigations and concerns about whether to begin making stricter laws to reimburse interns who get nothing more than a gold star and a “Good Luck!” at the end of the internship. I agree the government should enforce stricter policies so the intern isn’t being taken advantage of for the company’s gain. There is a fine line dividing companies that take advantage of interns and those that actually provide benefit.

Industries such as publishing, fashion and the arts are especially notorious for making interns work full time without any type of compensation and has lasted for decades. Because these typically are the most sought after opportunities, many will turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of interns. Some would consider these types of unpaid internships simply “free labor,” and most of the time these magazines could not last a month without the help of their completely uncompensated interns. Besides the fact that it’s illegal, it becomes expected while perpetuating keeping those who can’t afford to spend a summer in New York City for an unpaid internship away from the business, no matter how qualified he or she might be.

As a student, it has gotten to the point where I now need to gain experience just to gain an internship. Just this semester, I have contributed my time and writing to at least three different publications weekly, happily content with being compensated only by having my articles published. But when it gets to the point that I’m being turned down to be a summer intern because I don’t have enough writing experience, I begin to worry about what it honestly will take to even land a job in the future. This is a capitalist society, so next year I won’t be able to tell my landlord “instead of paying rent, let me teach you what I know.” Although impossible, that would probably help many of us sleep a little better at night.

Clearly, it’s been OK for too long to let companies get away with way too much in terms of its interns. The definite downside to new regulations is that companies — already strapped for cash — will hire far fewer interns, denying many the opportunity and increasing even more competition, creating a catch-22 situation. Interns will begin serially taking any available positions just to simply have something. Interns slowly are watching the door to a labor market quickly close and they want to get their foot in before it’s locked.

It’s easy to say, “I would not be where I was today without my internship.” You still would be in the same position, but you’d have been paid for it. Additionally, allowing unpaid internships gives the advantage to those who can afford to be unpaid and locks out people who must support themselves. Many try both, but I’m sure being paid is a whole lot better. I can’t understand why anyone would prefer an unpaid internship instead of a paid internship unless they were the ones exploiting their interns themselves.

Cristina Toscano is a State News guest columnist and journalism sophomore. Reach her at toscanoc@msu.edu.