Finding (and keeping!) internships while in college: Part 3
Part 3:ÌýRed Flags
We’ve all heard of red flags in dating. These are qualities in a potential partner that may make us think twice about pursuing them. Red flags apply to many areas of our lives, including jobs and internships. To get the low down on internship red flags, I consulted with our office Internship Program Manager, Dylan Mark. Below are six items to keep in mind when securing your A&S internship.Ìý
Be wary of any opportunities that require you to pay to participate. There are legitimate third-party companies that charge for internships but there are also many scams. Review heavily. It is illegal for a company to hire you as their intern and charge you to be their intern. If a company is asking you to wire money to participate in an internship or get payroll set up, it is most likely a scam.Ìý
Be hesitant of any companies that immediately want information from you including financial or identity information like bank accounts and social security numbers.Ìý
Know that you have protected classes. If you feel that in an interview or communication with a company that they are asking sensitive questions about race, gender, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, national origin, disabilitiesÌýor a variety of other topics, they may be crossing a legal line.
Be mindful of your personal safety and comfort. We’ve heard stories of supervisors crossing boundaries. This is NOT OK. Is a supervisor asking you to work from their house? Is a supervisor touching your shoulder weirdly or coming too close when they speak? Are they offering drinks during an interview or early on in your internship? Stay vigilant and speak up if something is not right.Ìý
Be suspicious of internships that seem too good to be true. Is the wage way higher than all comparable wages? Are the benefits unreal? Can you travel the world and work at the same time? These might be signs that something is not right.Ìý
Trust your gut. If you feel something is off, it might be. Review the opportunity with others, including Career Services.ÌýÌý
Unfortunately scams are everywhere in life, including internships. Learning to spot the red flags is an essential professional skill. This list can help you get started. Please see our other articles for tips and tricks to land an impactful internship.
In case you missed them, check out the first two articles in the series focused on searching for internships and persistence.