[showsover]

Why I wouldn't work for you:

I don't work for free. My time is more valuable than free. Perhaps at reduced rate, but never for free. Working for free makes your clients balk when you finally dare to charge.

I like my free time. Free time gives me a chance to do what I want, as I'm young only once. It's not always easy to have some time off when in college / uni, so the time you can make is time you (should) treasure. How you fill that time does not matter, but it should be fun (as that's what free time should be).

The other points I agree with. Building a portfolio is a great way to get at least one foot in the door. Writing code and text is also a very good way to learn to express thoughts (both of which I do too little of, personally), which also helps your future senior to get a reading of you.

[pathy]

Agreed, I find it unprofessional to work for free and you do yourself and everyone else a disfavor.

With two exceptions; internships via universities (where it is part of your education) and certain kinds of work for non-profits. And even then I am reluctant to work for free.

If you cannot even contribute at least minimum wage worth of value to a company, why bother contribute at all - go spend time on open source or for a charity instead. Or you know, go out and network at events (or bars for that matter).

The other points made in the post are good and relevant. Being able to show off what you have done is always helpful and writing a blog is always worthwhile in my opinion, even if barely anyone reads it (hello my own blog).

[probably_wrong]

> I don't work for free. My time is more valuable than free.

I think this doesn't probably apply for students and/or recent graduates, as it would be a way of escaping the typical "I can't get a job because I don't have experience, and I can't get experience because I don't have a job" catch-22.

True, my time is always worth a certain amount (probably higher than I assume), but if I get a tangible benefit out of it, I could assume that I just switched from "I pay you and you give me knowledge and a degree" to "I pay you and you give me experience and a recomendation".

[showsover]

No, working for free is not a good idea. Perhaps for non-profits, but even then you are better off to either charge a friends' price, or just donate money.

How would someone that just graduated pay rent and food when they don't have a job that, you know, pays them?

[acchow]

Wealthy parents. An ethical issue with working for free is it gives an advantage to kids with wealthy parents, lowering mobility.