If Goldman Sachs’ top executives are willing to take a 99% cut in compensation for 2008, the rest of us should think about how we can contribute to the economy by donating our time and productivity. For students, internships are a time-tested way to get valuable experience in their field with an apprenticeship status that’s welcome (and maybe needed) in a tight job market.

    Why should any student want to work for little or no money? Internships put students in the workforce with no future obligation to enter the field or the particular organization. Employers love interns because they are young, skilled, and come cheap.