Should job-seekers pay for help in finding an internship or entry-level job?

By Jillian Low

In looking at career development and your professional journey to becoming career-ready, there are many instances where a program fee is paid. From university to online courses, internship programs, resume guidance, interview masterclasses, and more there are times when it is appropriate to invest into being career-ready and paying a fee today which can result in increased return on investment tomorrow. It is important to acknowledge these supports are not meant to be accessible to only those with cash in hand, and in developing your career toolbelt there are many government, university, and non-profit supported interventions that can be made available at no fee if you meet the requirements, so always research payment options and scholarships before spending anything first. 

The first instance of when it is considered appropriate to pay a fee for career enhancement is obtaining a degree or certificate aligned with your interests and career goals. While many like to consider university tuition outside the realm of fees directly related to finding a job, the end goal of most any college student is to transfer from school to a career, therefore your direct tuition money is helping you secure a job in the future. While we would like a degree to be enough we do know that key skills, work experience, and professional understanding are increasingly more important to recruiters and companies, with iCIMs Class of 2020 Report noting “recruiting professionals agree that past work experience (70%) followed by candidates’ communication skills (61%), and referrals and references (43%) are more important than a college major when hiring entry-level applicants.”

With work experience being considerably emphasized in hiring decisions by recruiters, when looking to become career-ready, gaining internship experience will be extremely important. While you can get this experience without paying a fee many first-time workers falter in their first internship, expecting it to be more structured like a university class, and are challenged by the fast-paced and ever-changing daily structure of a company, which requires more collaboration, communication, attention to detail, proactiveness, and leadership than may have been demanded at university. Opportunities for an internship supported by coaching, guidance, employability curriculum, and with a guaranteed internship experience can get you the foundation and strong resume you need to get your second internship on your own without a fee. In a perfect world, universities would build in the guaranteed internship placement and guided employability into their coursework, allowing you to directly see the opportunity as a learning experience with tuition attached, but for now, you may have to seek out these opportunities out on your own should you need extra support in obtaining and succeeding in your first internship.

Beyond university and internship support programs there are many other interventions requiring a fee you may consider. 

• If considering paying for any career-ready intervention and currently attending college/university first reach out to your academic advisor, career services, professional organizations, faculty, or more to see if the support you are seeking is already included in your tuition and available on campus.
• If considering working with an internship placement company, remember that this is an educational experience meant to allow you to gain work experience while learning professionalism, employability skills, and understanding of workplace culture and how to navigate it. If there is no curriculum, coaching, support, or guidance attached to the program it may not be the program for you.
• If considering an online certificate or course, make sure you have investigated at least 5 comparable options to see which best fits your needs, researched if the certificate/course resonates within your chosen industry, and finally look into payment plans and directly asked for a discount (the worst they can say is no).
• If considering resume guidance or writing, remember that you cannot pay someone to do all the work, and this will still require you to be present, reflect carefully on your past work and experience, and to articulate your achievements. The resume writer is simply there to help guide you to clearer structure and how to shine within an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). In the first instance, I would seek this support from your career services (or internship provider if you went that route) as it is included in your tuition, but if after multiple job applications or interviews you are still struggling, potentially look into what other resources can help you.
• If considering career coaching or interview prep, these can be extremely helpful in boosting your confidence and allowing you to work on personal growth to enhance career readiness but will require you to first commit to the support and not expect improvement overnight. If a fee is attached ensure you research the different programs out there to find the right fit for you prior to committing. Much like counseling some career coaches work on income-based payment plans so this could help make this service more accessible if you are struggling.

Noting all of the above, it is important to understand that you cannot buy your way to your dream job and that it will require hard work, diligence, and perseverance. If a company is asking you to do nothing and for a simple fee they will get you your dream job/internship, I would be highly skeptical and extremely wary. The above supports that may come with associated fees are tools to add to your career toolbelt and are direct investments, not simply ways to buy your way to the top. 

— Article courtesy of Jillian Low, Chief Academic Officer for Virtual Internships