Interns often work for free in exchange for valuable experience and college credit. But how about asking them to pay for the chance to work at your company?

That’s what several employers these days are doing, according to a recent Slate article.

Sound greedy and a little backward?

To be fair, the companies aren’t actually profiting from the sale of jobs. They’re placing them on charity auction Web sites. The highest bidder gets the gig, and the proceeds go to nonprofit organizations.

However, many claim the tactic widens the gap between rich and poor by giving choice opportunities to students with parents who can afford to buy them. And, of course, handing out jobs this way doesn’t ensure the company’s hiring the best candidate.

Ethical or not, one thing’s for sure: Internships don’t come cheap.

One position at a public relations firm reached a bid of $2,500. Another internship at Atlantic Records went for the same price.

Tags: auction, Internships