“We’re Interns.”  I recently rented a 4 bedroom apartment in Berkeley’s South Campus. The first application I got came from a group of 4 guys who had all just graduated from a small (but pricey) liberal arts college back East. All 4 of them just starting working for an environmental organization based in downtown Berkeley. After reviewing their applications, I said: “None of you filled in the income section on your application forms.” The leader of the group said: “We didn’t fill in that section because we are all interns.” I said: “I am not sure I know what you mean by the word ‘intern.’ Does that mean that you don’t get paid?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “Do any of you have secondary jobs or some other source of income?” They all shook their heads No. I said: “You know, the rent on this apartment is $3,500 a month.” They shook their heads Yes. I said: “Well, I don’t understand. If you are all unpaid interns, how do you plan to pay the rent?”  The leader of the group (the brains of this outfit) said: “We are going to pay you by check. We all have checking accounts.” He showed me his checkbook. I said: “I don’t think I am making myself clear. I am not concerned right now with the method by which you plan to pay me the rent. What I want to know is where the money will come from.” The leader of the group said: “Bank of America. We all have checking accounts at Bank of America. That where the money will come from.” I said: “I still don’t think I am making myself clear. The rent is $3,500 a month – every month – but your gross income – between all 4 of you – is zero. Do you see the problem?” They looked at each other in confused silence and then looked at me and shook their heads No. I never did find out how they planned to pay the rent. I thanked them for their applications and sent them on their way.

I have run into this situation before. There are a lot of non-profit organizations based in Berkeley. Most of them have very little money, so they rely on volunteers and unpaid interns to do their work. I have met quite a few of these interns. Some of them have been working for years and years without pay for environmental or political organizations. I often wonder what they live on, but I haven’t figured it out.