Some might think that paying for an internship is an easier way to get experience but you should know what you are paying for first.
Fee-based internships are unpaid internships organised by private companies. The fee is usually due to administration costs or education and training that will be done throughout the internship, although fees can vary dramatically. Many of these internships are offered overseas in exotic and exciting locations and they certainly have their place in the work experience sphere. However, not all of these organisations can be considered equal and it is important to do your research about the program you are signing up to before you hand over your hard earned cash.
Do your Homework!
Pay to work internships present two issues- reliability of the organisation and how sought after international experience is with Australian employers.
When researching internship coordination organisations, it is imperative to do your homework. Make sure the company you are going with has a well-respected reputation and has been around for a while(AU Abroad is one to check out). Fee-based internships or working holidays is a fairly new concept and like any new fad you're going to get organisations who want to cash in on it and get out quickly, so be aware that there are companies who are not providing the product they promised and scamming people. One way to determine if a company is legitimate is to check out the intern feedback about the program. If the review section is full of good looking 20 somethings stating that "this is 110% not a scam, I had the time of my life and got offered a full-time job with my company" alarm bells should be sounding. Companies can invest time and money into fake accounts so follow up on profiles and see if Gertrude Cumberpatch really did have "the opportunity of a lifetime by working in a SUPER competitive environment, with SUPER nice people doing SUPER cool things".
Is this experience going to be worth it?
After you have established credibility it will also be in your best interest to see if this overseas experience will be sought after by your potential employers. Australian companies see themselves as offering internationally competitive internships and may be suspicious of the experience you have picked up abroad. This is especially relevant if you are an international student studying in Australia; employers will want you to have Australian experience and wonder why you didn’t/couldn’t get work here. That said, some disciplines like hospitality, international development and marketing can really benefit from international experience. Additionally, if you are keen for an opportunity to work overseas and this would be your first time travelling overseas then the support these internship programs offer can be very reassuring...particularly to your parents.
What are the hidden costs?
Finally, after you have established the internship organisation is legitimate, the company is reputable and real (their head office is not a cardboard box) and the experience will add and not detract from your resume, be sure that you are aware of ALL the expenses associated with the internship. The cost of your international internship will depend on whether it's organised through your university, a program provider, or internships provider. In some cases you may be asked to pay an internship fee ranging from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. It might seem obvious that all your expenses should be incorporated into the program cost but it pays to check. After all, you would not want to put down a deposit of thousands of dollars only to realise the $1600 airfare was not included, not to mention the visa, the entry fee, daily meal costs, your new passport (just to name a few). If you are unsure of anything- call them! You have a right to know where your hard earned money is going and they are there to make this a smooth ride. If they cannot provide you with a comprehensive outline of expenses then maybe they are not the best company to go with.
Yes, you have the right to ask the organisation lots of questions!
When applying for these internships just remember you are about to part with thousands of dollars that could finance a whole host of other things including food, alcohol and fun. The UQ Careers service has a handy fact sheet on fee-based internships which outlines your rights, how to determine the quality of the internship organisation and a list of questions you can be asking the organisation. Email careers@uq.edu.au to get your copy today.