While babysitting, waiting tables, and other part-time jobs have long been the purview of teens looking to pocket some money while waiting to land a “real job,” the skills gained in such positions don’t always equip you for an entry-level gig in a specific profession. This is where internships come in. These temporary roles are offered by companies looking to round out their workforce with junior members who are as-yet-unproven professionals. The company gets the benefit of a cheap worker who is eager to learn, and the intern gets the chance to build their network and resume. The reality can be different. While internships are seen at once as a rite of passage, they do make an impact on the present and future of our labor force. And this is what Fast Company aims to explore in their new series The Intern Economy.