Talk About It
Capitalism...American jobs, let's talk about it.
In today’s capitalistic society, non-paid internships are still acceptable within the workforce, and many internships are now being labeled as entry-level jobs to save money. They are being slick by underpaying these interns to do the same, if not more, work than their counterparts, labeling it as an internship to make the payment seem acceptable. Additionally, many of these entry-level jobs seem to require a certain number of years of experience, which is pretty rare to have coming out of college. It is already hard enough to find paid internships, but to require years of experience within the field is just OD, especially for a paid internship where you are underpaid anyway.
Take into account, that I can only speak on the public relations/communications industry when it comes to job and internship searching, but it is extremely difficult to get your foot through the door. It feels like these degrees are not giving what they are supposed to have given, and it's truly showing post-graduation for many of my peers. We went to school, did the work, got the degree, and still find ourselves in a job market that is not designed for us to thrive but instead to struggle until we "pay our dues."
In my opinion, unpaid internships are just another form of modern-day slavery. You deserve compensation for the amount of time and work you invest in a company. They hired you to make them better, not the other way around, remember that. Don’t cater to their needs—let them cater to you. You need to have the “I don’t need them, they need me” mentality.
PSA: I don’t suggest you say this to your employer ever; this is just a mindset/thought process. I’m also not supporting an egotistical mindset either. What I’m trying to say is that you have to know your worth. This applies to everything in life—job searching, internships, networking, and even relationships. People often get caught up in thinking about what others want to hear or how to impress them. They’re afraid to say what they think or feel, which can come off as artificial. Worse, it can lead to ending up in an internship, job, relationship, or social circle that isn’t even the right fit.
They say the main thing recruiters look for is authenticity—someone who displays the traits they need on their team. This can be applied to life and relationships as well, but I won’t get into that right now. The point is: to always present yourself as who you are, not who you’re trying to be.
Corporate America and Racial Injustice: The Capitalization of Struggle
Another issue I’d like to shine some light on is the corporate capitalization of racial injustices. Big-time companies have taken the liberty to profit off the Black Lives Matter movement these past years. Suddenly, everybody and their mama is preaching about diversity and inclusion. Now, don't get me wrong—I’m all for progression and change. But it’s the ingenuity of it all that rubs me the wrong way.
There it is again: inauthenticity. That seems to be the theme of this entire blog post.
Releasing advertisements, donating money, and putting “BLM” on streets and clothing is cool and all—but what about where it really matters? What is going on behind the scenes? These Fortune 500 corporations are not walking the walk. They say they want diversity and inclusion, yet their boardrooms are still filled with all-white, heterosexual Anglo-Saxon Protestant males, with no sense of urgency to even remotely attempt to change that.
They say they want diversity, but if the name on a résumé looks too ethnic or “hard to pronounce,” it's tossed to the side. I’ve been looking at the interns being selected at some of these companies and noticing only one Black person among the group—maybe two, if we're lucky. My fellow Black peers are feeling so discouraged that some are now clicking “prefer not to say” on the race identification section of job applications, in fear of how it may sway their chances at getting the interview or job.
The systemic racism in this country is so deeply rooted that the occasional advertisements and waves of support on social media—when another Black man dies—won't fix what needs fixing. At this point, everyone should be aware of the racial disparities in this country, so the “lack of awareness” excuse has run its course.
We saw companies post their black squares on Instagram, tweet about “listening and learning,” and claim to stand in solidarity. But what real, structural change has come from that? How many executive leadership teams have changed to reflect true diversity? How many brands have actually overhauled their hiring practices to ensure equity, not just performative gestures? Where is the long-term accountability?
The truth is, inauthenticity, capitalism, and systemic racism go hand in hand. The exploitation of labor, especially from marginalized communities, has always been the backbone of corporate America. They capitalize on Black culture while denying Black people the opportunities and resources to truly succeed. It’s time to enforce real change.
The Bigger Picture
Capitalism, at its core, is about maximizing profit while minimizing costs. And oftentimes, those "costs" are actual human lives and livelihoods. It’s why companies underpay their employees, refuse to offer livable wages, and take advantage of free labor through unpaid internships. It’s why they “celebrate” diversity but fail to make substantial changes that actually benefit marginalized communities.
We’re told that hard work will lead to success, but in reality, success is often predetermined by systemic barriers that keep the privileged ahead. It’s why many of us are working twice as hard for half the recognition, why we have to prove ourselves ten times over just to get a seat at the table, and why we’re still left wondering if we’ll ever be paid what we’re worth.
It’s exhausting.
But the conversation doesn’t stop here. Change doesn’t come from silent frustration—it comes from action. It comes from demanding better, refusing to settle, and holding corporations accountable for the promises they so easily make but rarely keep.
We need to stop accepting exploitative labor practices as the “norm.” We need to stop allowing companies to profit off struggles they aren’t truly invested in solving. We need to challenge the system instead of just working within it.
So, do you agree or disagree? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Let’s talk about it.
Disclaimer: UNCONFINED is a safe space. Everything I write is in the form of my opinion, background knowledge, and my point of view. My writings are less analytical, but I can provide factual information to back up my points if/when needed.
