Unpaid Internship, a Dealbreaker or not?

Good morning, Because of coronavirus, I had a hard time finding an opportunity for the upcoming summer, I am a freshman at European target. I could work this summer for a bankruptcy trustee, so I'll be working on distressed companies and bankruptcy filings, I know, it's not M&A but still better than nothing.

The problem is that the internship is most likely going to be unpaid, and it is not at a company, but by a single freelancer. Could this be a dealbreaker for recruiters? I have the possibility of making it last even more than three months, making it my biggest work experience up to now, I have only insight programs and I founded a student club.

Thanks a lot for your advice, have a good day

3 Comments
 
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Woulds say go ahead with it. Recruiters do not know if its paid or unpaid unless you tell them, just make the experience sound important on your CV and noone will care if its a freelancer. Experience is experience and it will give you something to talk about in interviews!

TBH I would try to make it shorter not longer. No point extending the length above like a standard summer internship length, at some point you'd just be working for free at diminishing returns in terms of learning and you'll loose one of the last summers youll have

 

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