<p>So my attempts at finding a paid internship has met with failure so far, and I really can not afford to give up my job and take an unpaid internship. Since this is a graduation requirement, I’m about ready to sign up for the alternative which involves working part time as a “research assistant” for one of the faculty on campus. My question is will having not done any internships hurt me in near future with potential employers? </p>
<p>In what field? </p>
<p>Business with a focus on the logistics side of it.</p>
<p>IMHO what looks BAD is not having had a job of any sort. If you have been an employee, holding down a job and receiving a paycheck – that is a GOOD thing. Take the research position and don’t worry about “internships” which way too often are free labor and not worth all that much.</p>
<p>I think it depends on what your peers are doing. If the majority of people you will be competing for full time employment with are doing internships (I am only about the paid the internship as I think non-paid internships are literally a joke 95% of time, and frankly should not be allowed) then it could hurt. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter. You have two people with similar educational backgrounds, GPAs, etc. Why not pick the person with some experience in a firm that is your field of choice over someone without??</p>