Amalia Illgner’s article about the alarming rise of the perennial intern (The long read, 27 March) explains how damaging unpaid work is to the creative sectors, particularly if – like me, the friend from the MA in journalism mentioned in the article – you are trying to start your career.
Those of us who cannot afford the luxury of working without proper compensation are frozen out, with our CVs becoming increasingly dated. I say proper because, as Ms Illgner points out, the paltry offer of £30 a day does not excuse the abuse of talent. If unable to make these sacrifices, candidates are scrutinised and questioned about their commitment to this career, as if being able to afford bread and milk are unreasonable demands. To take my MA, I moved countries and spent my life savings. I found weekend work and started an unpaid editorial job, meaning that for the year of my MA I was working in some capacity seven days a weeks. I also spent time with the Huffington Post and the Sunday Times. My working-class family, not based in London, could offer little support. One of my parents took on a second job to help, and they sold the car; my sister, who was promoted halfway through my MA, started giving money. When writing applications, it takes a deal of restraint not to respond to the question “Why do you want this job?” with simply “To pay my debts”.
Last summer, I started a paid internship, which involved taking a considerable pay cut from my tourism job. After three months, my manager was delighted with my work, but said she simply did not have the budget to hire me on more than an intern salary. A recent rejection – from an interview where the editors themselves asked me to apply – came with the advice “keep writing stories”. Isn’t that the point of the internship? I fear that all I have left to sell to prove my commitment are my kidneys and I know I am not alone.
Alex Jackson
London
• In the long read there are two examples of MPs from both major parties doing excellent work to reform the world of internships. At a time when MPs are held in low regard, even by Guardian readers, could we have a monthly column extolling the good work that so many MPs carry out which has an impact on people beyond their constituencies? When publicity-hungry MPs so often grab the headlines, it would enhance our democracy if you could spotlight the conscientious MPs quietly working to improve society.
David Kennedy
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
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