"Intern" - AI Revolutionizes That Role, Forget Monica Lewinsky Jokes

 Intern. 

Often that role in traditional sectors such as public relations, fashion and retail means low status, grunt work and even maybe no compensation. And now that the Epstein Files put Bill Clinton back on the hot seat, there can be recycled those old Intern Jokes.

But now the new field of AI is changing so much of that. Players ranging from OpenAI to Meta are creating powerful branding, real work and nosebleed compensation for interns. They go by titles such as "resident," "researcher" and "fellow."

For example, at OpenAI in the six-month program, residents, as they are called there, have it made. The opportunity:

" ... mentorship, contribute to ongoing research, and may be considered for full-time roles after the program ...  $18,300 a month.

At Meta, there are several kinds of internships running 12 to 24 weeks, paying monthly from $7,650 to $12,000. The amount depends on tasks and location. Here is how to apply at Meta.

In a world of knowledge work seemingly contracting for youth, this development signals this: Those willing to prepare for career paths beyond the usual professional services slots - law, finance, management consulting, public relations - can gain access to unlimited opportunity, with no expiration date, as least so far, on the shelf life of that way to earn a very good living. 

And it can start early. For instance, no putting in three years of law school, acquiring heavy debt. Sure, the summer internships which are available during law school at elite law firms such as Paul, Weiss and Skadden do compensate nicely. But Reuters Legal documents:

"A report released on Thursday by Citigroup and Hildebrandt Consulting found that 86% of large firms plan to grow their ranks of associates overall through 2027. But just 35% intend to grow the size of their first-year lawyer classes, and only 37% expect to onboard more summer associates, law students whose positions typically become full-time when they graduate."

Last March in Lawyer Monthly, chair of Paul, Weiss Brad Karp essentially predicted the same hit to the demand for very junior lawyers. That was because of AI. That's the same AI which is making for fresh kinds of career paths in the AI businesses. Those even can be hopped on at an AI startup. No need to compete to get into an OpenAI or Meta.

Actually, it is possible to land an internship or even a job in AI without the BA/BS. After all, AI is a hands-on field. Build a resume/portfolio of AI projects and youth could get in. One of those positions could even be at Paul, Weiss. Karp notes that the hiring will focus on technologists and data scientists. But they will be overseen by lawyers.

Anyone who lucked into a career path without specific formal education for that understands how exhilarating this is. Without one academic course in journalism/business writing, I broke into getting published in national magazines and local media. Within three years Big Oil hired me for a big job writing. 

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