When you set out on your career path, despite your degree, you know nothing. Sorry to break it to you. You may actually be a liability to the company for which you work.

Do the admin, keep your eyes and ears open, learn how it works, watch the examples (good and bad) before you.

I graduated over a decade ago with a first from Oxbridge, and did several internships before working as a PA in my chosen field for two and a half years. Yes, filing and typing, but I read and understood what I was typing and filing, I got an overview of 30 years of work by my boss, and saw how she operated and how the industry as a whole worked. After that, I went on to my dream job.

Don’t diss admin.

You know exactly what you are getting. Some offer college credit (where applicable), references (standard & advanced), stipends (regular & premium), and the list goes on and on. They also must say whether there is a possibility of employment (or not).

Interns are able to pick and choose which positions will suit them. The cool thing is that it is all done online through our proprietary system, so an intern could take a position in NY even if they are in LA – something that quite possibly would have hindered them before.

Yes, there are unpaid. BUT – these are not menial internships in which you sit around checking your Facebook profile, doing your homework, and maybe taking out the trash once in while.

These are quality positions in which you will actually perform work in your chosen field that you will be proud to include on your resume – and future employers will look at as true experience!

I completely agree many internships are a waste of time, and am proud to be a part of a system that benefits BOTH sides – whether paid or not!