25 < Unemployment, is USA internship the answer?

[Sysman]

Unpaid internships are quite common in the US as I understand it, but only for desirable jobs - it's essentially a vocational training year? But they would not get any kind of benefits/welfare to support them would they? So either you need to be rich or work a second job to support it...

That is how it used to be for accountants and solicitors in the UK. They originally had to pay to work as articled clerks, so it was restricted to those with parents who could afford it.

After I had started my first job in 1977 I met a schoolmate from a year or two below me who was an articled clerk in a solicitor's office. Where I was getting the princely sum of 45 quid a week he was on something like £14 and still living with his parents.

We both fully expected that once he'd done his time as an articled clerk and passed further exams, his income would easily outstrip mine.

[Support Monkey]

When i worked for a large media/Magazine publisher they had hundred of graduates working for nothing chasing the carrot of a full time job, it's nothing new, although in the current climate there are more people chasing the free work

[mos]

Used to be that apprentices paid the Master.

Then they were paid a small sum commensurate with their worth.

And then the OldLie brought in legislation in the 70s that increased that over & above their worth.

I guess that's why consulting / audit is ideal for graduates. Hire them and send to the client for training while charging the client the consulting fee.