In a message dated 96-08-19 16:55:19 EDT, [log in to unmask] (Museum
Science Research Librarian) writes:

> Say I take and internship that is not paid.  I work there until 5,

Don't forget flextime options.

> work somewhere else from 5 until 10 getting paid minimum wage, everyday.

Why would you limit yourself to minimum wage? Walk dogs ($10/hr, wait tables
(if you're good, you can average 10/hr on the weekends if not more), sell
Avon, detail cars, etc.

<snip>  Then realize that the buses don't run after 7pm and
>  your job is clear across town.  Add in $70 per week on cabs ($10 a ride).

Then the job is inaccessible, and you need to find another one. I'm not
implying that there are a million jobs out there, but with a lot of
creativity, you can beat the system. Another point for waitressing or any
restaurant, hotel work is the FREE food. And let's face it, if you live in a
big city where there are buses and taxis, scout around for happy hours that
serve free hors d'oevres (sp?), crash minor receptions (also good way to meet
contacts, especially at museums and universities).

>  That leaves you $40 per month to spend on electricity.  Forget the phone,
>  you'll just have to go without any service (even local) for the entire
>  internship.  Forget food, you don't need to eat anyway.

Sounds as if you have met with much failure and are consequently pessimistic.
I hope good things happen to you, soon. As for food, see above.

 As far as support
>  from other sources, I have none.

Can you babysit (free food and money to boot)? Can you housesit (free
lodging)? Do you write grant proposals (excellent experience for the resume
AND sometimes lucrative)? Do you own an Appaloosa horse (there's an annual
500.00 stipend available for university level class tuition from the American
Appaloosa Association - who knew?)? Try to be creative!
>
<snip> But, when I get a job, the job will be
>  paying me in _addition_ to the part time work.  I don't have to completly
>  support myself off of $4.25 ($4.85) an hour.

Maybe you will and maybe you won't - that's up to you.

>  And don't tell me that there are no internships that are paid.  The
>  majority of the graduate students from this program do find them.  It
takes
>  a lot of hard work to search them out and working with the institution to
>  find a good compromise.

Exactly! And I never said there weren't any. I chose one that was not paid
b/c it put me where I needed to be to build my resume for the future.
Besides, often times (IMHO), paid interns are chained to the computer, or
xerox machine while the institution "gets their money's worth" while free
interns seem to get jucier bones thrown their way.

>  You cannot simply settle for one that is unpaid
>  just because a few people believe that you should have to pay to work at
>  their institution.

Usually it is a case where there is no money. Once you get in the door and
make yourself indespensible (a feat which also requires hard work, creativity
and coming in before the boss), money often magically gets squeezed your way.

Good luck, Emily. I hope things improve for you.

- Adrienne