# Is there a polite way to tell my internship advisoe to pay me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764 "2016-04-10T01:21:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/41 "2016-04-10T16:16:50Z")
Someone posted a very similar thread three years ago, right down to using “politely” in the title. Maybe you can find some answers there: > **[Is there a polite way of telling my internship adviser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=686472)** > > That after working 3 years for free, I am not going to work unless I am paid. The only difference is they had only been an intern for three years at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/42 "2016-04-10T16:33:04Z")
Ugh. This is going nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![SpyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/43 "2016-04-10T16:53:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [LIST=1] > I’d also recommend learning a few songs traditionally sung by chain gangs, and singing them as you work. MY favorites are 16 tons, a song about getting paid too little to live on, and being unable to quit because you are in debt to your employer, and a song about John Henry my mother used to sing to me. Not the classic ballad of John Henry, but another one. One that is about how they worked John Henry to death, and the singer has decided to not let that happen to him. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/44 "2016-04-10T17:10:34Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > **CC** Is this an internship or a post-doctoral position? If it’s a post-doctoral position, you really ought to be getting paid. If it’s considered an internship, it sounds a little odd. I, and others of my acquaintance were research assistants as undergrads and we got paid better than minimum wage (about twice, if I remember right). That was 30 years ago. > > Definitely have a talk with your Advisor (and if you have graduated, that’s not the proper title for him either). Tell him you are interested in expanding your role and that you feel that you ought to be compensated commensurate with your degree and experience. Find out if he can help you with that. Candidly, $15/hour sounds low. If you can’t morph this position into a real post-doc, perhaps your advisor can help you. > > Good for you for exploring this. Open conversations about job direction and compensation can be awkward to broach, especially if you’re not used to it. Thank you. My letter to him – where I ask for money has been sent. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/45 "2016-04-10T17:13:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Someone posted a very similar thread three years ago, right down to using “politely” in the title. Maybe you can find some answers there: > > [Is there a polite way of telling my internship adviser? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=686472) > > The only difference is they had only been an intern for three years at that point. Now, see, this is where research comes in handy. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/46 "2016-04-10T18:08:30Z")
Now he will pay me, but I will have to work 20 hr/week. Off to work. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/47 "2016-04-10T18:17:57Z")
That’s great. I’m not surprised he wanted a bigger commitment from you before agreeing to pay you. Hope it works out for you. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/48 "2016-04-10T18:22:47Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > That’s great. I’m not surprised he wanted a bigger commitment from you before agreeing to pay you. > > Hope it works out for you. Thank you very much. Now off to work. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/49 "2016-04-10T22:59:05Z")
When come back, bring tidings! Tell us how your first day / first week went at your new improved job. Any plans yet for what you will spend your first paycheck on? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/50 "2016-04-10T23:32:57Z")
Wow, that’s progress. Thumbs up. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/51 "2016-04-11T00:21:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How aware is the advisor about your situation? > > Because I think that he’s doing you the favor of throwing some work your way. It may well be that it actually costs him more in time and money and hassle to have you there than he’s getting out of you. But he’s giving you a few minor tasks to do to get out of the house and feel that you’re accomplishing something. > > Frankly, $1,500 a year is probably less than the advisor gives his children for doing chores around the house. > > So he might very well respond negatively to any suggestion that you’re being exploited. > > I’d recommend that you instead ask him how you can get out of the lab and into a Real Job, earning Real Money. > > Keep in mind that you can’t say that you hate mathematics and whatever was the subject of your dissertation. Instead, you’re going to have exploit your education. If you really can’t do that, then apply for a job at McDonald’s. Even at minimum wage, you’ll make way more money than you do now. I agree. Even at 20 hours a week (same pay?) this is more charity than a job. However getting a real job might be tough. I hire lots of PhDs, but I wouldn’t go near anyone with no accomplishments for six years. Post-docs are for learning and publishing, not working 8 hours a week. I hope his therapist can work on his backbone and self-esteem. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/52 "2016-04-11T03:27:48Z")
Thanks anyone who left **positive** feedback. Working like crazy – will work 20 hours per week. Will get paid starting May. Must not be lazy now. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/53 "2016-04-11T03:30:49Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Thanks anyone who left **positive** feedback. Working like crazy – will work 20 hours per week. Will get paid starting May. Must not be lazy now. Why so long until you get paid? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/54 "2016-04-11T04:16:46Z")
Will you still be getting the $350 monthly allowance from your parents? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/55 "2016-04-11T13:42:58Z")
Hey **CCitizen** Hey what? Are you ready? For what? To pop Pop what? Pop See Ko! My hands are high My feet are low And this is how I pop see ko His hands are high His feet are low And this is how you pop see ko Pop see ko Pop-pop see ko Pop see ko Pop-pop see ko ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/56 "2016-04-11T14:44:00Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Thanks anyone who left **positive** feedback. Working like crazy – will work 20 hours per week. Will get paid starting May. Must not be lazy now. Working like crazy, lol ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/57 "2016-04-11T16:29:30Z")
Glad to hear it, CCitizen. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/58 "2016-04-11T17:08:17Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Working like crazy – will work 20 hours per week. Careful. You don’t want to put your back out or anything. But seriously: good luck. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/59 "2016-04-11T17:54:45Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Will you still be getting the $350 monthly allowance from your parents? Partially – that remains to be negotiated. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764/60 "2016-04-11T18:48:34Z")
I believe the polite way is “bitch, pay me my money!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-polite-way-to-tell-my-internship-advisoe-to-pay-me/751764.md?page=4)