Having just finished a similar (although longer) internship, I can pretty much back you up on that. All the interns were either able to live at home with parents, lucky enough to have the support of family/an employed partner, or had saved up enough money from a previous career to be able to afford an unpaid position.
It's something Naomi Klein wrote about in her book No Logo, and although she was referring to the media I believe the same is probably true of conservation (where mine was based). It's the unfortunate catch-22 of not being able to get a job without relevant experience, and often the only way of getting such experience is by volunteering or working for nothing. And if you don't, someone else will be happy to do so. It can't help but entrench advantage.
So in my experience definitely not unique to the media (although at least for the sciences there are normally other, better-funded routes in such as doing a PhD).
Felix
________________________________
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science on behalf of Michael Kenward
Sent: Tue 23/03/2010 12:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science communication internship
Forgive me for being picky, although regular readers will expect this, but am I right in thinking that this is an unpaid internship?
I guess it is OK for something as short as this, but it does bring up a subject that has been aired elsewhere. In media circles there is some concern about using internships as unpaid labour.
Take this piece:
http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=54602
"Are unpaid internships creating an elitist media profession?"
Only young persons with rich parents can work for nothing.
As Daryl Willcox puts it: "If the only people who can get decent work experience are those who can afford to work for free for extended periods then media inevitably becomes elitist."
http://www.dwpubsporadic.com/2010/03/sourcethatjob-strikes-a-chord-over-media-internship-exploitation.html
He runs a media recruitment service and no longer accepts ads for unpaid internships.
Is this phenomenon unique to the media? Or has it reached other parts of the world of PEST?
___________________________________
Michael Kenward
Science Writer & Stuff
Genetically modified words for sale
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Blackford, Sarah
Sent: 23 March 2010 10:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Science communication internship
Science Communication Internship 2010
The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) is offering an internship for a postgraduate student/early career scientist to gain a month's training in press and publicity during the period 7th June - 3rd July 2010. The placement will be suitable for someone who is seeking a career in science journalism, scientific administration, or as a publicity officer. Applicants with some experience of non-academic science writing will be given priority.
Working under the guidance of the Education & Public Affairs (EPA) Manager, the main activities will be:
To write press releases for the SEB's Annual Main Meeting (30 June - 3rd July, http://www.sebiology.org/meetings) in advance of the Meeting.
You will be expected to review the meeting abstracts, talk to session convenors and interview speakers in order to produce interesting, eye-catching press notices.
To send out the press releases to the media using Eurekalert and email.
To attend the SEB Meeting as its Press officer: to liaise with journalists and science editors, organise interviews, take publicity photos, attend relevant talks and visit posters, and write additional news for release during the meeting.
To assist in the organisation and running of the EPA programme during the Meeting when required.
You will need to be self-motivated with excellent communication and time management skills. You will be given the option to work remotely for the most-part of the internship if it is not practical for you to absent yourself from your research full-time for one month. However, you will be expected to visit the EPA office initially to liaise with the head of EPA and remain in close contact throughout the duration of the placement. You will also attend the SEB Meeting full-time from 30 June - 3 July inclusive. All reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be paid.
This is an excellent opportunity to further develop your experience of science communication (previous winners have secured jobs as news editors, science writers and publicity officers). To register your interest for this post please email Sarah Blackford, with your CV highlighting your science communication experience and skills, and stating why you are applying for this post.
[log in to unmask]
Closing date: 31st March 2010.
Sarah Blackford
Head of Education & Public Affairs
Society for Experimental Biology
Bailrigg House
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4YE
Tel: +44 (0) 1524 594850
Fax: +44 (0) 1524 594696
www.sebiology.org <http://www.sebiology.org/>
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