In the commercial world, interns are generally paid what they’re worth.
Memphis Blues
1
I’m going to disagree with you, but with the caveat that I’m not *entirely* sure what you mean by “commercial world.”
Engineering interns can contribute a lot or absolutely nothing (usually nothing) and make $18–23/hr usually with a housing stipend.
My first internship was entirely copying and taking notes in meetings. Nothing a poli sci major wouldn’t do.
Some industries just get away with paying interns little to nothing, I guess because they don’t get hung up on when they say it’s unpaid. (I heard a student today say he hung up on a company when they offered $15/hr.)