Write a comment on the topic of internships. Where possible bring in own experiences.
Over the last few years, the position of interns has been quite often in the limelight of the German press and usually, the tenor was that internships do more harm than good. The main complaints are that companies use interns to replace full-time jobs, that interns are usually underpaid - sometimes even unpaid - and furthermore are used to fulfill boring tasks such as copying and making coffee. Moreover, many people argue that is often impossible to get an internship without personal connections. Therefore, internships are seen as an one-sided deal that makes companies laugh all the way to the bank.
In my view, these accusations are only justified in some cases. Certainly, there are companies and institutions where these accusations are true. From talking to friends I know that it is close to impossible to find an internship and therefore gain any work experience during university if one studies a subject that is not related to business or science. Moreover, these are usually also the people who have to agree to work for free if they want to gain some work experience that gives them an edge over other applicants after graduating.
However, my viewpoint as a business student differs significantly from that of the above mentioned group and my university friends see eye to eye. I have done three internships and also, I have been a working student in two different companies, and I will enter my third position as a working student this October. I have never had any personal connections into the companies I applied for and nevertheless received offers. Furthermore, my pay has always been high enough to make my living. Of course, interns are often supporting staff. Sometimes, I had to make copies, but if that is in limits, it is ok for me since I know that fulltime employees are also