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If you were jobless in your 40s or 50s, would you take an unpaid internship to pick up new skills?

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Results with 12 short comments
Total of 752 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

44.7%
Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.
336 votes
15.2%
No. My skills are valuable and I deserve to be paid for them.
114 votes
40.2%
I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.
302 votes
Display Comments:
Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.

Internships are an excellent way to pick up new skills and hone old ones, especially in a quickly updating modern society. I would take one

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  • 1 vote
#1
 - BoomkinBabe
 - 1:55 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
No. My skills are valuable and I deserve to be paid for them.

I can't afford to be unpaid. Rich people with big savings accounts and assets can do that, but not the rest of us poor folk.

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    #2
     - kenaiqueen-897484
     - 3:01 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
    Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.

    Absolutely! The work ethic and determination of a 40-something can put to shame a 20-something.

    {"commentId":6061460,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"lg15021502"}
    • 2 votes
    #3
     - Jeff-979804
     - 3:04 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
    I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

    With most of my assests depleted becasue of this downtuen, If I did take an internship it would be working two jobs to make ends meet

    {"commentId":6061674,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"dayooper"}
      #4
       - Ed-740313
       - 3:16 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
      Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.

      I am 54. I was a Sales Manager in school supplies & went back to school to be an Ultrasound tech.I am now interning & loving it. Hire me!

      {"commentId":6061993,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"debi2701"}
      • 1 vote
      #5
       - Debi92612
       - 3:30 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
      Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.

      I'm in my sixties and would love the opportunity to 'intern' and pick up new skills. I have no intention of fading away into obscurity.

      {"commentId":6063241,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"audrey42"}
        #6
         - iaja
         - 4:18 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
        Yes. When the going gets tough, the tough do what they have to do to go where the jobs are.

        Absolutely. This IS NOT the time to be "too proud". If you and the company are a fit, it could be a permanent jo.

        {"commentId":6063308,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"reality101"}
          #7
           - Reality101
           - 4:21 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
          I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

          Actually I am sure; if it would open the right doors I'd do it in a minute.

          {"commentId":6064592,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"coutant"}
          • 1 vote
          #8
           - B. Coutant
           - 5:10 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
          No. My skills are valuable and I deserve to be paid for them.

          With the rising cost of daycare, a parent can't afford to work for FREE...I need to pay the babysitter and transportation!

          {"commentId":6070348,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"SheilahT"}
            #9
             - Sheilah T.
             - 11:23 pm EDT on Fri Mar 20, 2009
            I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

            Spin! VOLUNTEER, if employer doesn't realize the need to hire you, yet, or offer internning. Make sure your offer to volunteer is genuine!

            {"commentId":6075656,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"lmoral"}
              #10
               - Wake Up America!-959627
               - 12:00 pm EDT on Sat Mar 21, 2009
              I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

              I need to pay the bills! But if my future with the company would be brighter because of this...well, maybe!

              {"commentId":6103343,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"tktmom03"}
                #11
                 - JMH-102668
                 - 12:24 pm EDT on Mon Mar 23, 2009
                I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

                If I felt that the new skills would lead me to a better life and new opportunities, then yes I would.

                {"commentId":6137013,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"gregziglar"}
                  #12
                   - Greg-281912
                   - 6:35 pm EDT on Tue Mar 24, 2009
                  I’m not sure. It would depend on where the internship was and what doors it might open.

                  How can you pay bills, if you don't get paid? I guess an unpaid internship would be okay if I had other income to offset expenses!

                  {"commentId":6343268,"threadId":"533181","contentId":"2572126","authorDomain":"nonterran"}
                    #13
                     - Nonterran
                     - 4:09 pm EDT on Mon Apr 6, 2009