She Strengthens

The Unspoken Truth About Working for Free

When you’re starting out in a creative field, you’ll often hear the advice to never work for free. “Know your worth” and “don’t give your work away” are common refrains. But what’s often left unsaid is that many people, even in established careers, have worked for free at some point.

The Reality of Unpaid Internships

Take, for example, my friend who’s pursuing a degree in dietetics. She’ll spend eight months interning without pay, while still incurring debt to cover living expenses. Or consider the law student who took an unpaid internship after their first year, despite eventually landing a high-paying job. These scenarios highlight the harsh reality that many people face in their careers.

Beyond Writing and Advertising

It’s not just writers and advertisers who work for free. People volunteer, create YouTube videos, or develop web series to get their foot in the door. Post-grads take unpaid internships to increase their chances of getting hired. Even aspiring physician assistants log volunteer hours to qualify for school. We’re all hustling to get paid in a career that means something to us.

My Own Experience

I’ve been on the receiving end of the “don’t write for free” warning multiple times. But when I started out, I knew I had to take opportunities to get published, even if it meant working for free. My first published article outside of college wasn’t paid, but it gave me the push I needed to submit to other sites. Since then, I’ve been working tirelessly to get more bylines, freelance contracts, and eventually, leave my full-time job.

The Importance of Building a Foundation

Those who warn against working for free often overlook the importance of building a foundation. Getting published, even without pay, can lead to better opportunities down the line. It’s like climbing a career ladder – you start at the bottom and work your way up. The sites that were willing to publish me took the time to help me improve my work and gave me a platform to showcase my writing.

Knowing Your Worth Means Knowing When to Bet on Yourself

Part of knowing your value is understanding when working for free will benefit you in the long run. It’s not about being taken advantage of, but about taking initiative and making calculated decisions. If people can save up and invest in graduate school or travel, why can’t creatives invest in their own work?

Breaking into a Field Requires Hustle

Getting into any field, whether aspirational or not, requires hard work and dedication. Instead of shaming those who work for free, we should acknowledge the hustle and encourage creatives to take control of their own careers. Your work has value, and you should know your worth. But true self-awareness means understanding that building a foundation is crucial to achieving success.