Unpaid Internships: My Honest Experience, Red Flags, and What I’d Do Differently

Not every opportunity is worth taking — especially when it costs you more than just your time.

What Is an Unpaid Internship?

An unpaid internship is when you work for a company, project, or founder without receiving any monetary compensation. In return, they may offer:

• A certificate

• Some real-world experience

• A new network

• Or… just vague promises of “exposure”

But here’s the thing — not all unpaid internships are the same. Some are deeply valuable. Others are nothing more than free labor in disguise.

My Personal Story — A Harsh First Lesson

Let me share something very personal and eye-opening.

At 17 years old, just after finishing my 12th boards and JEE/MHT-CET exams, I applied for an unpaid internship. I was excited, full of curiosity, and eager to gain some real-world experience before college started.

But what I walked into was exploitation — disguised as an opportunity.

I had to travel every day to Churchgate, and they made us work till 10 PM, sometimes even expecting us to stay till midnight. This was unpaid, and no proper learning or mentorship was provided.

As time passed, I started questioning the setup. I knew this wasn’t how internships were supposed to work — legally or ethically. I reached out to people higher up in the organization via email, asking for clarity, and no one responded.

And then — one day, I was just removed.
No warning. No explanation. Not even a thank you.
And worst of all — no certificate for the 2 months I had worked.

I politely asked the department head if she could at least provide a letter of recommendation on company letterhead to acknowledge my contribution.
She started ignoring my messages too.

That experience taught me a hard but important lesson:

If a founder or organization expects someone to work for free and can’t even offer basic respect or meaningful learning — they don’t deserve your time.

Even if someone is 17 and fresh out of school, their time, effort, and energy should be respected.
At the very least, a small stipend or strong mentorship should be provided.

When an Unpaid Internship Is Worth It

Let’s be fair. Some unpaid internships actually offer great value if:

• You’re just starting out
  If you have limited skills, few projects, and want real-world context — this can be a launchpad.

• You’re working with a reputed brand
  Startups from IITs, top NGOs, or recognized names like Google DSC, The Forage, etc., can make up for no pay.

• You’re learning a lot
  If you're solving actual problems, being mentored, and building something cool — it's valuable.

• It fits your schedule
  If it’s remote, flexible, and doesn’t drain your energy from college or personal learning, go for it.

  Before saying yes to any internship — paid or unpaid — ask these 3 things:

  1. What will I be doing?

  2. Who will mentor me or guide me?

  3. Will I receive a certificate or any proof of work?

If they hesitate to answer any of that — it’s a red flag 🚩

Final Thoughts

Unpaid internships can work in your favor — but only if they give you:

• Learning

• Real projects

• Mentorship

• A brand worth adding to your resume

If you’re not learning, building, or getting guided… it’s okay to say NO.

Respect your own time. Protect your energy.

What’s Next for Me?

Right now, I’m in a phase where:

• I’m learning Python, Pandas, and building data projects

• I’m blogging my learning journey

• I’m actively applying for meaningful internships

• I’m being mindful of where I put my energy

So I’ve decided:
I’m open to unpaid internships — but only if they come from a recognized place, offer real work, and align with my goals.

Otherwise, I’d rather:

• Build personal projects.

• Share my work online.

• Join student communities like GDSC.

• Keep growing on my own terms.

Thanks for reading!
If this resonated with you, please feel free to share it!

— Karina K.