Should I Work for Free?

Last week I was invited to lunch by a recent film school graduate.  She was looking for a job and showed me her reel on her iPad.  Good work.  Over shrimp tacos, she explained that she had a dilemma and needed some advice.

An Oscar nominated producer, knowing she had just graduated from USC with $100K+ in student loans offered her an unpaid 2 year internship consisting of picking up his dry cleaning, his kids, and his sick dog.  Hey, the last person who had that job got a thank you in the end credits of Katy Perry: Part Of Me 3D and an IMDB listing.

She bit her lip, and I think, blinked back a tear.  Here’s my problem she said, “Should I hold out for an Oscar winning producer?”

I took a deep breath and gave her my best fatherly smile.  I told her to have no fear, Jessica Hische has figured it all out for you.  Just check out her infographic, Should I Work for Free, and it will all become crystal clear.

She stuffed the address in her apron, put on her Del Taco hat, and glanced at the manager who was glowering at her.

“Well, thanks.  My shift just started.”

I wished her luck and picked up the tab.