<p>I currently have a non-paid internship with a radio station about 40 minutes away from where I live and I'm debating whether or not if I should drop it. I'm currently a 4th year Business Administration major and I plan to stay for a fifth year so I thought that it would be a good idea to use this time to build up my resume but I'm starting to think that my time spent working at this radio station is a bit of a waste as it is starting to interfere with my study time. I normally drive there every Wednesday from 2-4pm where I do office work which is a good experience for me and I don't mind it. But what is the kicker about the internship is that I am required to work at two events per month which are often on the weekends where I drive to the radio station, load up the van with tabling materials such as tents, boom box, prize wheel, and then table outside of stores around California for 2 hours and interact with customers, and then drive back and unload. By the time I get home I lose about 5 hours of potential study time. I'm starting to feel like this is just a waste of my time and gas money. Though I have heard that for some people, internships eventually lead to jobs which is what has been keeping me from leaving. I wouldn't mind as much doing this stuff if I were paid as the staff is nice and it would be good to make connections in the radio industry, and I've been able to get through my classes ok, but still for right now it feels like a big waste of time and gas money. So for all those out there who have worked in internships, are internships worth the time and commitment? Do they eventually lead to rewards? Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>Every situation is different, and only you can determine if this internship is worth the effort. Is there something you can find related to what you want to do that is closer to where you are? Do you want to go into radio, or is it just something you find cool? Have you talked to them about being paid? Keep in mind that if the issue really is about not having enough time for schoolwork, that’s certainly not going to change just because they start to pay you. Could you get credit for the internship, so you can take a lighter courseload?</p>
<p>Unpaid internships can be very valuable experiences, especially if they’re in the field you want to enter. They can help you get your foot in the door in that company or in the field in general, and are great options for students, especially those who have no experience in the field. They can be something to put your your resume to help you get another job or paid internship or to help you get a higher wage at a later job. They can teach you valuable skills and give you experience that can help you market yourself later. They can transition to a paid job, or a full-time position after you graduate. They can help you get connections and grow your network.</p>
<p>But if you don’t have the time to commit, if the commute is too far, if you’re not learning anything useful or getting anything meaningful out of it, then it’s probably not worth it, regardless of whether they’re paying you or not. But only you can decide that. It’s not something that can be generalized to all unpaid internships.</p>
<p>You’re a BA major interning for FREE, of all places, at a radio station? I would understand if you were interning for free or at least minimum wage where BA degrees are actually useful. Your free labor at the radio station won’t lead you to a job there. What is there to do with a BA degree where you intern? Are you expecting to be hired as an assistant event coordinator at minimum wage? Find internships at large retail chains or companies that will lead to valuable jobs.</p>
<p>Thanks for your concern guys. I’ve decided after careful consideration to drop my internship. With my new school quarter starting up, I’ve decided that it would just be better for me to focus on my classwork. Thank you for all the advice. :)</p>