Internship feels like free labor with no feedback

Q I am a law student and I work as a fulltime unpaid intern for a nonprofit legal services provider. I admire the staff attorneys and their work. I also acknowledge they have high caseloads and are stretched thin. When I am given assignments, I receive little to no instruction or training. Questions often go unanswered. When I turn in assignments and ask for feedback, I receive a quick “thanks” in response.

I feel frustrated because it has long been my understanding that an unpaid internship provides compensation in the form of training and learning. This organization operates entirely remotely, and I am struggling to navigate this working environment.

I want to be conscious of my status as an intern, but I am starting to feel taken advantage of. How do you recommend I balance eagerly wanting to learn with the realities of a remote and heavily burdened workplace?

—Anonymous A I am surprised you are only now starting to feel taken advantage of because you were taken advantage of from the moment you were asked to work full time without compensation. The aims of the organization may be admirable, but its employment practices leave a lot to be desired. I encourage you to let your supervisors know you would appreciate a bit more guidance. I have no doubt they are stretched thin, but so are you.

In terms of dealing with the challenges of remote work, perhaps you could ask for a weekly or biweekly Zoom conversation so you can have some real-time engagement with your colleagues.

I know that many people are dealing with Zoom fatigue, but as a full-time intern, you cannot subsist on email alone. You can advocate for yourself while understanding the limitations of your colleagues and their professional burdens.

Meet me at the crossroads

Q I'm at a crossroads in my career. I have been working at a nonprofit for five years and working in my profession for 15. I am good at my job, and I have a very clear sense of the work culture, my role and the program I oversee. I have good colleagues who are friends, and a fair amount of autonomy and flexibility. However, I am underpaid and underappreciated and often feel like I'm not being given the full respect of my experience and expertise from management.

Yes, I am a woman of color. Also, I've been leading some aspects of our diversity and inclusion efforts, which is worthwhile but adding to my general disappointment in management and the institution.

I recently applied to a job and had an interview. It was refreshing because the hiring manager really seemed to respect me as a professional. I know this institution probably has its fair share of problems, but the position would pay much better, offer better resources and I could possibly be better respected. Should I leave what I know and at times love (but is disappointing in so many ways) or should I venture to something new, which could or could not be better? — Anonymous

A

There is a lot of professional comfort in the familiar even when the familiar is disappointing. You recognize that you're at a crossroads, which means you want a change. Yes, you should leave the comfort of what you know and see how you fare at this new organization. It's not that the new employer will be perfect. In fact, you are leaping into the great unknown, but I see that as an opportunity rather than a risk.

You know how you're treated at your current employer. You know you deserve better.