This dilemma may be more common than you think, as unpaid internships are on the rise. The economy has left some organizations financially unable to pay interns, while other organizations, such as advertising, sports marketing, the film industry, and even human resources, are in such high demand that there are many interns willing to work for free. According to the College Employment Research Institute, 75 percent of the 10 million U.S. college students will work as interns before graduating, and between 30 and 50 percent of those will not receive any pay.