'Influencer Internships' on the rise

A recent survey of over 2,000 millennials and Gen Z-ers by Morning Consult shows that 54% of them said that they would become influencers if they could. In recent months and years, social media influencers have been offering unpaid internships that were criticised as exploitative. After decades of labor activism, class-action lawsuits and legislation to make internships less exploitative, it is hard to see why someone would take up an internship as such (unpaid or not) with a self-employed internet celebrity. 

However, for people who grew up on the internet, sharing carefully edited videos and swapping product recommendations, this opportunity to learn how to make a living off of their content can be alluring. The data from the Morning Consult survey goes to show that the last two years have radically impacted people's work and life. The option of creative freedom and flexibility and not to mention, a higher earning potential maybe even stronger. Gabe Feldman, head of business development at Viral Nation, which represents 300 influencers worldwide says, "Younger people don’t want to live a corporate life. They want to have fun, be in something relevant, embedded in the culture." There are many ways to become an influencer.

Sometimes, it's a happy accident with a video going viral or a message from a brand. But sometimes, people go through boot camps and training to grow their numbers. Some others directly text an influencer for a job. This arrangement can have many downsides like working odd hours, unstructured work, limited labor protection and accountability and payment. Only 40% of Viral Nation's clients compensate their interns with hourly pay, salary or cash bonuses. For many youngsters with debts and a 30-year high for inflation, giving away free labor is untenable. 

Source: The New York Times