The term “unpaid job” might come off as an oxymoron, but that doesn't take away from its very real existence. Fresh graduates are ever so often seen struggling to enter the corporate realm. But no sooner have they meet their first opportunity of success than they are met with the inevitability of unpaid internships.

It's been a pervasive practice running quietly behind the cacophony of the corporate chaos. So much so, that some of the most celebrated figures today, trace down their inception in the corporate world to these unpaid gigs, almost as if it were a rite of passage.

The Story: Vani Kola is a celebrated name in the finance industry today but about forty years ago, things were not the same. In a post on LinkedIn, the founder of Kalaari Capital, shared her predicament as a 22-year-old and her first taste of the corporate environment.

Kola shared a story from when she was a graduate student in the US and landed her first summer job. She was looking to get some experience under her belt and make some extra money. Excited about the opportunity, Kola grabbed it. She did not enquire about the terms of her payment before taking up the internship.

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“I know it sounds naive, but I assumed I would work hard, and they would pay what I deserved," she said.

As the end of the month drew close, Kola was anticipating her first cheque, but to no avail. Weeks passed and no payment was made. She decided to muster the courage and ask for her fair share. That's when she was told it was an unpaid job, and Kola remembers it as her first introduction to corporate exploitation. 

"I still remember that burning feeling in my stomach, that plunging feeling that this summer I had to make money, and with no salary, how would I pay my expenses?" she added. That's a feeling many go through even today. 

Kola took that as a lesson, her takeaway was to always ensure clarity regarding money and be upfront in all financial transactions. Moreover, it has also served as a reminder for her to not hire anyone for free, she says.

"That summer taught me so much—to value myself, to ask questions, to be careful about what you are signing up for and to never take advantage of someone," Kola mentioned in her post.

While Kola's experience is sage advice for young people to be more confident and vocal when it comes to payment, it is also a reminder for companies to put an end to this exploitative approach.

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