How I lost my Summer Internship

Okay what has just happened is pretty gay. Basically, I’m 19, still studying in maths/finance and I had an internship this summer.

The internship was supposed to pay me 12,000$ this summer, based on an annual salary of 48,000$

I had to go meet my supervisor today to just sign papers and make it official that I’m hired (i.e. sign the contract). Understand this: since we last discussed, since my last interview, my professional skills have progressed considerably. Of course, I had already “unofficially” accepted 20$ per hour or so, but I felt like I could ask a bit more because, hey, I’m worth slightly (read: much) more than that.

I arrived ready to negotiate. The supervisor made it VERY clear in the first minutes I wasn’t going to get anything and that their rates were fixed. Here’s how it went.

ME: Hello, I’ve came about the internship.
HER: Ah, Frank, here, sign this.

She hands me a long pile of documents, with three stick-it showing where to sign. One was a waiver.

ME: Actually, I would like to discuss a bit. I could have understood it was 20$ per hour but due to my recent progress, I was wondering if we could re-evaluate this.
HER: Our wages are fixed by the corporation, sorry. We will check for a raise after the internship.
ME: See, I didn’t want to bring this up, but most of my friends have less exams than me and already win 25$ per hour. I was just wondering…
HER: No. Look, you already accepted. These condition have been brought to you already. Sign this. Don’t make me waste my time.

She was quite straight. I sighed and continued:

ME: That’s a wage of 20.12$ per hour, right?
HER: You were aware of the wages eight months ago already. You already accepted and as result, we’ve chosen you over another student. You had all times to agree to this.
ME: I know, but as I said I’ve progressed…
HER: Your progresses are insignificant. Here, only experience matter.
ME: How about 24$ per hour?
HER: It wouldn’t be fair for other interns, wouldn’t it?
ME: Most of them have 0 exams. I have 3. And I paid them myself.

Exams can cost close to a thousand each. Typically, your company pays them — I paid mine myself.

HER: Congratulations, want a medal?

If there is one thing to learn with me is that you must not piss me off.

ME: Actually, I didn’t mean to bring this up, but the salary you offer me, 48,000$ per year. It’s an insult to me. I didn’t react badly the first time not to offend you, but I think it’s the most ridiculous salary I’ve ever been offered and I, in fact, take it as an insult to my intelligence.
HER: What??
ME: I’m worth much more than that, madam. 48,000$ per year is nothing.
HER: Don’t call me ma’am. You’re 19. You are STARTING at 48,000$ and bitching about it???
ME: Well, allow me to explain… See… Well… If you had offered me like 300,000$-400,000$ per year, my only reaction would have been : “Oh well, that’s an okay salary”. But 48,000$ is just laughing in my face.

No reaction.

It got worse.

HER: You already agreed eight months ago…
ME: Informally, yes.
HER: 20$ is all you’re getting.
ME: I see. So what you want is a little pawn who will play your game — start at 20$ per hour then slowly move 1$ up each year? Perhaps in 40 years, when I’ll be your age, I’ll get the kind of wages I deserve, right?
HER: Who do you think you are? You’re nothing to me. You’re nothing to your corporation. We can easily kick you out and take another student. There are 3,000 other students we can choose from.
ME: Of course, hire the average sucker, one that won’t bitch about your shitty conditions — that’s how you started, right?
HER: WHEN I STARTED I WON 6$ PER HOUR. WE WOULD NEVER HIRE YOUR KIND OF LITTLE SHIT BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA

She was angry. Very, very angry. Perhaps it was the comment about her age that got her off. The fact is: I got the leader of a big corporation Human Ressources department to yell at me. Yes, even in real life, I get flamed.

Understand this: 20$ per hour is nothing for them. Hell, I have friends less talented than me that started at 25$ per hour no problem. I believe I could have gotten as much as 30$ if she didn’t suck so much.

Still, the fact is: I lost my internship. Instead of 12,000$ this summer I’ll get 0$. Unless I can find another internship in like 1 month. Except for the fact every other firm turned me down (I sent 11 applications, one offered me a post).

It’s quite gay, honestly. I didn’t mean to stir any trouble. Still, it pisses me off to lose that job. I mean, I don’t believe I asked too much, did I?