<p>So i'm applying for internships and I came across one that on one website is labeled "paid" and on another is labeled "unpaid." My question is will it be rude and unprofessional if i ask the person accepting applications if its paid or not before i apply? I ask because i don't really want to apply if its unpaid because i'm not very interested in the job.</p>
<p>Also i'm a comm major looking for an internship for next summer in all related fields and i'm having trouble finding paid ones so if anyone has tips i would really appreciate it. Thank you!</p>
<p>If you’re not very interested in the internship, you should probably be looking at other internships instead of this one. The majority of internships are unpaid–almost all internships with the federal government and many in the giants of the private sector pay no salary or provide only a stipend to cover some of your living and traveling expenses. The main point of an internship for you is to give you experience and connections in your field (or a field of your interest) and to provide inexpensive labor and a pool of prospective entry level employees to the employer (to sort of try you “on approval”). Even paid internships won’t usually pay more than your average summer job; the compensation won’t be worth it if you’re miserable with the work, especially considering most intern work is entry level and administrative. If you’re not interested in the work or the field of this particular internship, by all means, you should look elsewhere.</p>
<p>If you’re determined to apply for this internship, no, of course it isn’t rude or unprofessional to ask if it’s paid, but you shouldn’t phrase your question to imply that you’re not interested if it’s unpaid.</p>
<p>I agree with amplifiar842, internships are about experience and exposure, not money. If you are not interested in the job itself, don’t apply. You’ll just be wasting your time and theirs, even if you get the job and it’s paid. </p>
<p>I personally think it would be rude to ask about pay up front, because it shows your primary concern is money and not the opportunity to learn or to contribute.</p>
<p>Try to find a job that will expose you the field you see yourself working in one day, a job you are excited about and eager to go to in the morning. Remember that the right internship could be the start of a successful career. Being a communications major, it may be tough to find paid internships. But keep your long term goals in mind and consider where an internship could take you. Good luck!</p>