Bill Kalmar’s column (Working for Free) about internships and the tendency to exploit students’ availability by providing no compensation caused some reflection within my company, PQ Systems, about its own internship program. The company has offered paid internships for more than 20 years, and has attracted bright, hard-working local college students who often land jobs upon graduation, bolstered by the experience they've gained and the support they've been given by their PQ mentors who helped them explore possibilities.

Increasing national debate about unpaid internships has led to frustration and even lawsuits, as college students seek positions in order to enhance resumes, even accepting unpaid positions. Bill Kalmar points to the injustice of the unpaid internship, even though students are given opportunities that they otherwise might not have. In the midst of the fray, PQ offers opportunities for learning, and receives the benefits from their intern's contributions. This exchange is definitely worth compensating the young people who accept the positions.

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