Yesterday, I made my bi-annual journey down to my alma mater to speak to PR and Mass Comm students. In one of the classes I spoke with, an interesting discussion broke out around internships.

Specifically: Should companies pay their PR interns?

Understandably, many of the students tended to say “yes–companies should definitely pay us.” And, from where they sit, I can hardly blame them.

Soon-to-be college grads. College debt. Parents breathing down your neck to get that first job.

I get it. Internships kinda suck. Especially when they don’t pay.

But, I’m here to tell you one thing: I’m not sure it matters.

Should companies pay interns? That’s not my battle. I tend to think market forces should dictate that sort of thing–not regulators.

But, if you step back and look at the bigger picture: Getting paid for an internship really doesn’t matter. Here are three reasons why:

#1: Getting paid for an internship isn’t the end goal. Finding a full-time job that pays you a decent amount of money you can live off is the goal. An internship is just a means to that end. So, if that internship pays you–great. If it doesn’t–don’t sweat it. Just work your butt off, make connections and get that first job.

#2: The pay’s not worth it anyway. Think about what a typical internship pays. Probably somewhere between $10-15 an hour. That’s barely enough for most people to live off in most major markets. So, if that’s the case, why sweat the minimal pay? Why not reframe your outlook and look at the internship a bit different–again, see it as a means to a bigger end.

#3: Internships are all about experience and connections anyway. As an intern, you have zero leverage when it comes to the job search. You’re 21/22. You have zero experience. No leverage. So, utilize the internship for what it is: An opportunity to gain valuable experience (raise your hand to do EVERYTHING), and and opportunity to meet and network with people who can GET YOU A REAL JOB!. Do those two things well during your internship and you will have a job within 3-4 months.

Agree/disagree? I know you have an opinion on this one…