Need your thoughts on Internship/Employment

Long story short: after getting several degrees, I went back to school for a paralegal degree. I have 1 class left that just started, plus an internship. I started at the biggest law firm in town 2 months ago as a temp for a girl who was on maternity leave. She is back and now I'm working and interning there at the same time. I've been getting paid a very low amount so far but I accepted it because it's great experience and I'm not certified yet. The internship CAN be paid, but it isn't obligatory that it be paid. As a temp I've been paid for all my work so far but when I brought the administrator my internship paperwork, he mentioned that maybe I would just be paid for some hours and wouldn't be paid for some. It feels weird to be doing the same work I've been doing for months and suddenly not be getting paid for it ( I understand that SOME internships are not paid, but this one can be paid, either way I will still finish the internship.). Boss mentioned offering me a full time job when it's over, but now I feel a little hesitant because he doesn't want to pay and it makes me feel like he might be stingy with my pay in the future. *Disclaimer: I'm working in one of the most sought-after and difficult areas of law and the firm is definitely in need of this kind of paralegal.

Thoughts?

How easy would it be to get a job in this field in another firm? It sounds like it would be easy. Is it a prestigious firm that you are currently at?

Is there anyone at the firm you could ask for advice? Anyone who has helped you or you've grown close to?

During my first semester of senior year in college, I internet at a big regional daily newspaper and did really well. After winter break, I got a call from one of the editors at that newspaper, and she told me a reporter had quit and asked if I'd like to come on part-time as a reporter -- while I was still a college student!

So of course I said yes, and long story short, they offered me a job a few months later before I was set to graduate.

If it's that type of a situation and you really think you have a shot at a good job and a career there, then give it a go. When you meet with your boss, there's no harm in asking if he thinks you have a longer-term future at the firm. You just have to be careful how you phrase the question, and make it clear you like the firm and would like to be a part of their growth. Phrase it like that -- you want to be part of their team, you want to help them grow, etc., instead of putting the emphasis on you. That way the boss knows that you are there not just for your own advancement, but to help the team.

Also, I think there's nothing wrong with asking that you still be paid. You're not being "rewarded" with a demotion. If you're a young college student or young adult, you obviously have living expenses.

Personally, I think that non-paid internships are BS. I wasn't paid during my internship, and it worked out well for me, but I think too many companies basically see college kids as free labor. The question is whether the tradeoff is worth it to YOU and YOUR plans for the future. Remember that doing real work at a real firm for no pay is better, resume-wise, than getting paid but doing nothing but getting coffee and making copies.

Same deal with my internship...I got real bylines in a real newspaper, whereas some other newspapers had their interns doing nothing but gopher work. So think about it, ask a trusted colleague if possible, and meet with your boss again. Good luck!