PR Council members will begin paying interns starting next year, with the pledge soon to be added to the association's code of ethics.

PRC announced the new policy Thursday. It states that association members believe that paying interns is in the best interest of the intern and the PR firm, even if the student is receiving course credit. Unpaid, short-term "externships" (no more than two weeks) consisting of only shadowing are permitted, according to the group.

"I am proud that our industry is putting a stake in the ground on this issue and I hope others will follow," Gail Heimann, chair of PRC's board of directors, said in a statement. "Properly shaped and managed internship experiences are critical to preparing young talent for future positions; internships that are fairly compensated are an important way to bring a more diverse body of accomplished talent into the industry."

PRC represents 110 public relations firms in the U.S. The policy will take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

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