How to Kindly Quit an Unpaid Internship

Don't walk out unannounced on an unpaid internship.

If the unpaid internship that seemed like such a great opportunity is turning out not to be what you expected, you may be wondering how you can kindly quit without burning any bridges. Even though you aren't getting paid for the internship, the reality is you still need to follow standard resignation procedure so you can maintain a positive relationship with the organization that hired you. In addition, read the terms of your internship contract with the company to find out how much advance notice to give and what the company-specific protocols are for quitting.

Instructions

1. Draft a professional letter of resignation. It is proper etiquette to submit a letter of resignation to your immediate supervisor when resigning from a job, whether the job is a paid position or not. Include the date you are composing the letter, an explanation that your intent is to quit the internship, an effective date for the resignation and your signature at the bottom.

2. Request a meeting with the direct supervisor. When the two of you meet, let him know it is with great regret that you must quit the internship. Provide the letter of resignation at this time. If your supervisor asks why you want to quit, give an honest answer. Be tactful and diplomatic about it by not focusing on negative issues and complaints. If you must offer criticism, make it constructive.

3. Ask the supervisor about how to terminate the internship contract, if you have one. The supervisor may need to consult with the company's human resource department for specifics.

4. Fill out any additional paperwork that releases you from the internship contract, if necessary. If the internship is for an academic credit, you may need to fill out more paperwork on your school's end because you did not complete the internship.

5. Write a follow-up thank you note to the organization where you interned, thanking them for the experience. This is an effective way to keep the relationship positive and quit kindly. You never know if you might want to reapply there for a paid job in the future, or rely on them for a letter of recommendation.

Tips & Warnings

• Unpaid internships may not be ideal, but sometimes sticking out the term of the internship has its benefits.

References

• The InternView; Intern Life Lessons: Why Quitting Your Internship is Not an Option; Amy Fleishans