Hey all, seeking some advice on any recourses I might have in this situation.

I did an unpaid internship this summer with a local independent publication. The publication has a really small staff like 6 people including the owners. The internship went well to a certain point until it was implied the interns would need to start working on our off days to get on top of multiple stories being sent our way by the EiC. There were also other practices in office that I can elaborate on that were very unprofessional.

I know what I signed up for as an unpaid intern. I have interned multiple times before but this was far and above the most exploitive experience I’ve had. Overall, what I thought would be good experience to work closely with an editorial staff turned out to be very stressful, confusing, and anxiety inducing experience. :/

The editor in chief decided to cut my internship short, after I explained I’d been given the opportunity to freelance at another publication. I asked for an exit interview so I can gauge where I stand and see if I could possible submit work for a freelance rate but he’s been blowing me off and I have a feeling he’ll continue to keep brushing me off.

The problem is since I’m a young journalist I don’t have a lot of professional references so I’m going to have to use this as a reference going forward.

I’d love to hear some advice if you have any. Also, treat your interns with common courtesy (especially in these hard times)