Has anyone ever done an Internship?

I'm not enthusiastic about internships. But the acceptable version should not be just an unpaid job - you should have more freedom to see more of what happens in the place you work (shadowing other people, going to meetings, site visits etc) without being expected to be productive for the business all the time. Also, generally, you should get to take days/mornings/afternoons off for stuff at short notice if it benefits you, although not taking the piss is also good for you. They should never be long-term. I also feel that once you reach a certain threshold (graduation, for example), you should get paid. Internships are just about ok if you're not yet a graduate, I've heard of people who are fully qualified being offered unpaid work. Fucking bollocks.

This is exactly what my industrial design internship is like - although I'm an undergrad and I've managed to do a couple of small paid ID contracts before. What annoys me is that universities know that work experience is vital for getting a job in the design industry, but they don't make any financial allowances for students who can't afford it - only the rich kids can do unpaid work. I'm supposed to be getting petrol money although I'm not sure when I'll get it, and I had to buy a car and pay full rent on my student let over the summer, plus bills and food etc - it's probably cost me 2-3 grand in total. Three grand for the prerequisite experience to get a job as an industrial designer, which isn't a particularly well-paid profession (not until you're in a very senior position/start your own company, at least) - it's a pretty terrible situation, really.

A graduate friend of mine did an unpaid graphic design internship for three months, which was extended to six months, then when their job was finished they let him go - not a penny for it, let alone the offer of a job.