Like all students desperate for a career in the media & journalism, I have done a few spells of work experience that have been unpaid. “Unpaid” is of course the word de rigeur of journalism internships in England because the bulk of them do not pay. They just don’t. It is the way the cookie crumbles and that is how it will remain for a while I am sure. However, is it fair ? Should we just stick with it ?
At the end of the day, I think most people who want to really get into journalism know that the pay is poor. I did work experience in a large British city where wages for regional newspaper journalists could be as low as £10,000 per annum! Yes, £10,000! Oh my WORD is the word for sure ! I could not believe it was as low as that. And mind you, this was not some random pocket in a valley, it was a large bustling British city, not the big L but large enough.
Then again, does the prestige of working at a top magazine/newspaper cancel out the fact that you are not paid for your labour ? Loads of people are enamoured with CN and making it huge in that sector of publishing and I can see why – those magazines are very prestigious within the audiences they cater because they have become brands. Thus, by being brands, they have loads of attention no doubt. I know that in London, many magazines/newspapers reimburse your travel expenses but they do not pay you an actual wage which is an interesting concept. Paying the travel expenses but not paying an hourly rate ? At the current part-time admin job I work at the moment, I earn really good money which I know I would never even dream of seeing as a journalism intern.
However, I do not want to come across like I am complaining about the situation. I know this is how it is and it is the way it will stay. London is extremely expensive but anything to get your foot in the door? Of course. I have been applying for unpaid work internships @ publications because those are the only ones on offer. And it is fine if it means I will get where I want to get.
I would love to hear some feedback from anyone in publishing or aspiring to be in publishing or any general thoughts!
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8 Comments
26/04/2008 at 21:04
[...] the Microscope: Graduate Media Salaries in the UK In a previous post of mine, I was discussing the ethics of unpaid work experience interns. I then read this illuminating [...]
26/04/2008 at 10:39
@Danny –your internship experience is very interesting. training experiences too! that is great. major mags may not even achieve that.
@Soilda — In Nairobbery/Runda.
@Shane — that paragraph you quoted is very interesting. To an extent, I do think people like to do it on purpose because media corps are very stuck in their ways.
26/04/2008 at 09:36
I think that paragraph in the New Statesman article is really relevant
This has huge implications for society in the long term.
The problem in media is surely also allied to the fact that there are too many journalism/media studies courses out there at the moment. Far outstripping demand. I would think this is just as much the case in Ireland as in UK
25/04/2008 at 04:44
Aulelia,
Jambo mami, Where did you live when you lived in Kenya?
*Sorry that had nothing to do with your post*
24/04/2008 at 12:43
Hi Aisha – second post on the blog i think, still looking good!
As someone who has been an intern in the past (albiet a paid one) i find it disturbing that interns are only paid basic expenses?
When i did my internship (a year long) as part of my degree it was a requirement of the university that the interns were paid – a basic wage, some were better paid than others.
After leaving university i spent a fair amount of time volunteering and our expenses were paid, we even had an allowance for lunch if we did a whole day, and those that needed it were given help with childcare, we had access to training opertunities and this all by a small charity. – Perhaps the hierarchy make it difficult for those without an outside income to break into the ranks on purpose?
24/04/2008 at 08:49
@Aisha, thanks for your comment. I think one reason why journalism is low paid is because the media hierarchy is obsessed with young people paying their dues etc by being low paid. I really do think that is a core reason. Tell me about it, the rat race turns me right off too!!!!
@Orville, thanks as well for your comment. I also agree that it is unfair. It just seems so futile when graduates barely have any money anyway to not be paid. It is not fair.
23/04/2008 at 22:44
@Aulelia, this is a tough question, because on the one hand the writer/journalist/student wants experience. On the other hand I really do feel it is not fair at all. I believe people should be paid for work because life is hard and we all have bills to pay.
23/04/2008 at 21:56
I think it sucks, and it is the same in the United States as well. You really have to be careful, because some “internships” are just a disguised way to get free labor. Some companies want to suck the blood out of young, hopeful people while giving nothing in return.
I don’t understand why journalism pays so low, since it is a very demanding profession with an irregular schedule. That is one of the reasons I decided against journalism. I just don’t want to be poor. Gosh, London really sounds like NYC. I am turned off by the whole rat race.
Sorry for the negative tone. I hope you get an amazing opportunity, whether it is paid or unpaid.