Unpaid internships are still widely used across the nonprofit sector. But they come with real costs. At the same time, breaking into communications is becoming more competitive than ever. Here’s why we’ve chosen a different path, and how we create opportunities that are fair, focused and genuinely valuable.
What’s broken about unpaid internships
Unpaid internships are often positioned as a gateway into the sector. In reality, they can reinforce inequality and dilute the value of communications work.
Access is the first issue. Not everyone can afford to work for free, particularly in cities where living costs are high. This limits opportunities to those with financial support, narrowing the diversity of voices entering nonprofit communications. Research shows that unpaid roles disproportionately exclude lower-income candidates.
There is also a question of value. When roles are unpaid, expectations are often unclear. Tasks can become open-ended, learning is inconsistent and outcomes are rarely defined. This does not serve early-career professionals who are trying to build meaningful portfolios, or organisations that need reliable, high-quality work.
At the same time, the communications field is becoming harder to break into. Entry-level roles increasingly require prior experience, strong digital skills and evidence of impact. Industry reports point to rising expectations across content, strategy and data literacy. The result is a growing gap: more is expected from candidates, but the most accessible opportunities are still often unpaid.
What we believe instead
At AMS, we believe that work has value, and that value should be recognised.
We do not use unpaid labour. When people contribute to our work, they are compensated. This is a deliberate choice, not a constraint.
We also recognise that the sector needs space for contribution beyond paid engagements. That is where pro-bono work plays a role. But it should be done differently.
For us, that means two things:
- Pro-bono work is something we choose to do as an organisation, on our own time
- It is not a substitute for paid roles or a way to fill capacity gaps
This distinction matters. It ensures that early-career professionals are not asked to carry the burden of unpaid work, while still allowing us to support organisations that need it.
What we do instead
Rather than offering unpaid internships, we take a structured, project-based approach to pro-bono work.
We contribute our expertise to specific projects where we can add value, without creating open-ended unpaid roles. These engagements are designed and delivered with the same level of care as our paid work.
Our approach includes:
- Clear project scope: Each pro-bono engagement is focused on a defined challenge, such as refining messaging or shaping a campaign narrative.
- Time-bound delivery: Work is contained within a set timeframe, ensuring clarity for everyone involved.
- Senior-led input: Pro-bono work is delivered by experienced consultants, not delegated to unpaid junior staff.
- Compensated contributors: When early-career professionals work with us, they are paid for their time and contribution.
This allows us to support the sector without relying on unpaid labour, and to create opportunities that are genuinely developmental rather than extractive.
Why this matters for the sector
Nonprofit communications are becoming more complex. Expectations are rising across digital engagement, storytelling and accountability. At the same time, competition for entry-level roles continues to grow, with more candidates bringing formal training and cross-channel experience.
In this context, unpaid internships are not a sustainable solution. They place the cost of entry on individuals, often those least able to afford it, and they do little to build consistent, high-quality capacity within organisations.
A more intentional approach is needed. One that recognises the value of communications work, supports early-career professionals in a fair way, and still creates space for meaningful pro-bono contribution.
By separating paid work from pro-bono work, and by ensuring that those who contribute are compensated, it becomes possible to do both well.
Final thought
Fairness and quality are not competing priorities. In communications, they are closely linked.
AMS is a global communications agency that helps NGOs, foundations and social enterprises use messaging to harness their influence and achieve their mission. We combine senior strategic counsel, world-class delivery and a purpose-driven, human-centred approach, to strengthen your team and build sustainable in-house capability. We deliver project-based support that brings senior expertise into your work while building internal confidence and clarity. To find out more, get in touch with us today.
