Petition against unpaid internships gains momentum. Fill up the survey!

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is putting together a citizens' initiative to ban unpaid internships. A valid citizens' initiative can become EU legislation if endorsed by the European Parliament and member states in the Council. First, however, the European Commission must table a legislative proposal, and as it is not obliged to do so some petitions that have enough signatories may never materialise.

The EESC's plan echoes an initiative of the European Youth Forum (YFJ), a group representing 98 youth organisations across Europe, which has drafted a quality charter for internships. "Internships taking place outside formal education should be based on a legally binding contract outlining length and remuneration of the internship," reads that text.

An online survey has been launched to gather the views of young people in order to improve the draft charter. Once finalised, the paper will be submitted to the European Commission with the objective of launching a public consultation on the issue.

Do not hesitate to make your contributions!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Europe-Internships

Interns for the space policy

Budget consolidation is the golden rule in the western world. In order to achieve this goal, many countries have endorsed strict budgetary cuts. Space policy is one of the main victims of these cuts, cheap interns are the only hope for the future space missions to Mars.

Here you are a video with one of the experiments that interns are carrying out.

Enjoy!

Is "intern" just a professional (or non-professional) title?

Hello guys, at least those that still follow the blog. Well, I have to admit I have negletted it for a couple of months now, since -after creating this blog- I got offered few jobs! Now that I have got a "serious" job I wasn't sure it would be fair to carry on talking about being an intern.

But then I start wondering....does the concept of "intern" just define a professional title? Or it's much more? Cause now that I have an actual title, and I am reponsible of my own work, and people occasionally look at me in search of answers...I sometimes still feel like an intern. Or maybe I wish I was an intern, with no security but also no responsibility. And if my long experience as an intern had shaped my skills? And if as of now I was just....a professional intern???

The fabulous adventures of an eternal intern: Exploitation... Internships... Si si si

The fabulous adventures of an eternal intern: Exploitation... Internships... Si si si: "http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23925856-nine-month-unpaid-internships-at-museums-are-exploitation-say-mps.do"

'work was great, i just need to eat'!

Things not to say to an intern

Dear Employer who is not going to hire me after the interview we just had,
before sharing with me your compliments for my CV and "wish me all the best for my career" because "I'm still young" ... ask yourself: will I with with your compliments and your wishes pay my bills at the end of the month?

Back on track!

Yes, you devoted (and few) followers...the blog seems to be online again! If you were wondering what had happened to it...I don't know. On the same night of the day of its creation, I tried to log in and had to read a funny note: your blog has been removed. No reasons. But my imagination went wild and landed onto the only possible answer: someone from Google, most likely an intern, was asked to get rid of such a controversial platform of sharing :P

Anyway, I have got already a funny story to celebrate this blog's comeback. Today I woke up and found a rejection e-mail...sent at 7.30 AM! It was for an organisation I had an interview with, for a position as...guess, guess, guess! Yes, it's right...intern!
They efficience in letting me know I wasn't selected made me start the day in a very good mood (sarcasm).

But when you think you had your daily rejection ( people talk about the importance of the 5-a-day...should we recycle the concept and turn it into 1-a-day?) and you can't feel more rejected than that...you open your mail before leaving the office and find another mail. Jint of it: Elena, you are a great candidate but you have been rejected. I should be used to it. But the funny thing is...I have never applied for that position! Do you think my professionality in being rejected is aquiring international aknowledgement?

Do you want to post new discussions?

Send me a message with your e-mail adress if you want me to add you as author...so you will be able to post and start new discussions.

A paid internship! Only problem...YOU pay it.

Hello everyone and welcome to what I hope will be a running and interesting blog soon.

I have often thought about starting it, also as a way to let off my chest some problems I have encountered while looking for a job...but today I have decided to finally do it. What persuaded me was an advert I came across during my search, and seeing how people reacted on Facebook when I posted my comments about it.

Here's the part of the advert that really upset me and I would be interested in seeing what you think:

You may need to prove that you made an internship for your further studies but you may not be able to find an appropriate organization, there may not be any vacancy at the time of your choice or you may not have the necessary funding for that.

We offer you the possibility to do your internship at distance from home under the guidance of a qualified tutor on the basis of a program to be discussed but consisting mainly in research and reporting. At the end of the program, you get a detailed assessment of your skills (for your own use) and a participation certificate. Duration: 1 month (or more if needed). This tutorship is not free but keep in mind that if you came to Brussels, you would have to pay for your travel expenses and for renting a room.

Once there is an agreement on the internship program, you will be requested to pay the registration fees.

Fees: 500 EUR (1 month) - 750 EUR (2 months)

Guys...this is supposed to be a HUMAN RIGHTS NGO!!! Any thougths about it?

Feel free to post your ideas/ perceptions/ opinions and to suggest new discussion topics!!