W201: BUSINESS ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP MARCH 20, 2022

7:55 P.M.

Unpaid Internships
Gateway to Practical Experience or Free Labor
Exploitation

Team B05
 Team B05
W201: Business Ethics & Leadership

AASIM BIN AHNAF TASIN FABIHA SHADMAN MD. SALEH AMIN

BAKR NILOY MAIMUNA MUHTADI BADHON
Roll 12 Roll 26 Roll 54 Roll 50 Roll 104
Case Outline
What we'll cover this afternoon:

• The Story of Two friends • Perspective on unpaid internships

• Points of considerations for • Are unpaid internships worth it
graduates • Should unpaid internships be illegal
• Internships in a nutshell • The dilemma of self-sacrifice
• Drivers of unpaid internship culture • The ethical questions
• Primary Beneficiary Test
The Story of Two Friends
Two friends, one internship prograrm

• Same organization

• Same internship role

• One valued monetary benefits and

did not support free contribution

• One looked for long-term potentials and

is now a permanent employee with equity shares
 Points of Consideration
For fresh graduates and undergraduates

Need for experience Societal pressure

Lack of skill development in universities

Points of Consideration
For fresh graduates and undergraduates

Saturated Job Market

Internships
In a Nutshell
Internships
Minus the Salaries
Drivers of Unpaid
Internship Culture
Why people accept unpaid internships offers?

• Historical precedence
• Formal recognition of effort
• A sense of belonging
• Dependence on technology
• Low ambition
Applied Framework:
Primary Beneficiary Test
Are you an intern, employee, or slave?

Unpaid Intern Paid Employee

Perspective on unpaid
internships

Developed Countries vs Developing Countries

 Are unpaid internships worth it??

Pros Cons
• Experience • No monetary compensation
• Entry to the corporate ladder • Risk of exploitation
• Networking • Risk of getting scammed
Should unpaid internships be illegal?

Exhibit A Exhibit B
Black Swan Lawsuit Shady Startups
The Dilemma of Self-sacrifice

Short Term Returns vs Long Term Potentials

 Where Do You
Draw The Line?
 The Ethical Questions

The rationale behind students choosing to work as unpaid interns

Unpaid internship: modern-day slavery or career opportunity?

The motive of providing practical experience in the name of unpaid internship

How should an inexperienced undergraduate student deal with unpaid internship

opportunities?
 The Ultimate Dilemma
What do unpaid internships yield the most?

Practical Experience
or
Labor Exploitation?
What's your take on this ethical dilemma?