[ruddzw]

It's up to the employers to pay their interns. Why? Because they are the ones who demand that their new hires have that internship experience. If you're not going to get hired unless you coughed up the bucks to get "industry experience," that is a horrible deal that sets a bad precedent for the future. This is one step away from unpaid entry-level jobs, where you don't get paid until you're making the company enough profit.

[dgabriel]

These internships are generally a few weeks to a few months in duration. It's actually more like paying for a hands-on, supplemental class at an exclusive trade school.

For technical folks, it's easier to get a foot in the door if you demonstrate competency & have the grades. For those trying to break into marketing, publicity, etc., an internship is as much a requirement as a BA.