IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Many schools today require students to work without pay for companies as part of their education
Is this more advantageous to students or companies?
Sample Answer:
The debate as to whether or not schools today should require students to work without pay for companies as part of their education has been ongoing for some time now. Whilst some argue that it is beneficial for both parties, there are also some who oppose this idea. In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages for both students and companies in order to draw an overall conclusion.
The primary advantage for students is that it provides them with practical work experience. For example, those studying business or finance may gain valuable insight into the inner workings of a company, have access to the latest industry trends and develop their business acumen. Furthermore, these unpaid internships may give students the opportunity to network with potential employers and build up their professional contacts.
In terms of advantages for companies, they can benefit from the free labour and enthusiasm of the students, use them as a source of fresh ideas and tap into the insights that they may bring from their studies. Not only that, but companies are also able to save money on wages, as they don’t have to pay the interns for their work.
However, there are some drawbacks that should not be overlooked. Firstly, unpaid internships are often exploitative and unfair, as they take advantage of students’ lack of experience and financial need. Moreover, unpaid internships can create a two-tier system, whereby those who can afford to work for free have the advantage over those who cannot.
In conclusion, it appears that unpaid internships may have both advantages and disadvantages for both students and companies. On the one hand, it can provide students with valuable work experience and give companies access to free labour and extra ideas. On the other hand, unpaid internships can be exploitative and unfair, and can lead to a two-tier system of those who can afford to work for free and those who cannot. Therefore, it is important for schools to consider both sides of the argument when deciding whether or not to require students to work without pay for companies as part of their education.