A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SECURING INTERNSHIPS IN 2020
The current job market in India is skill-based, fast paced and competitive that seeks skilled workforce.Getting employed as merely an outcome of finishing graduation/ higher education is a thing of the past. With the advent of technology, Gig workers and flexi-work cultures; individuals despite their great pedagogy and well crafted mark-sheets struggle to land lucrative opportunities. In such a scenario, taking up internships that offer a real time employment experience works to give an edge over other candidates.
The current job market in India is skill-based, fast paced and competitive that seeks skilled workforce.Getting employed as merely an outcome of finishing graduation/ higher education is a thing of the past. With the advent of technology, Gig workers and flexi-work cultures; individuals despite their great pedagogy and well crafted mark-sheets struggle to land lucrative opportunities. In such a scenario, taking up internships that offer a real time employment experience works to give an edge over other candidates.
WHY TAKING UP AN INTERNSHIP WORTH IT?
With millennial workforce entering the job market in large numbers, internships are no longer just a concept of the western society. India has witnessed over 2.2 million students in 2018 opting for internships before opting out for a full time job. Internships can really be helpful provided you understand the ways in which it could build your candidature. Try out the following things by taking up internships:
Explore your interests: You get an opportunity to explore what interests you, what gives you a job satisfaction, what your competencies could be best suited for; before landing a full time job.
Get a real picture of how companies function: There’s a considerable difference between the corporate life portrayed in your books during your college life and how the companies function in reality. Certain things like meeting deadlines, understanding the intricate office politics, lobbying can be best learnt on the job.
Build your network: Internships are your first launch-pad preceding your corporate career. You make contacts, network and “be known” for your interest and potential. You could leverage this while looking for a more permanent job at any later stage.
Build your resume: candidates having a prior exposure/ experience to the corporate culture, work experience along with a clear understanding of what they want and what is expected out of them by companies; always score over other candidates with none of such experiences.
Soft-skills development: Internships can really give insights into the office etiquettes, office culture and boost your interpersonal skills.
Get Pre-placement offer: If you demonstrate exceptional work, genuine desire to learn and grow with the organisation, in all possibilities, you are likely to land a PPO (Pre-Placement Offer) by the company. Companies are ready to offer full-time role on company payroll to interns show-casing good work and a desirable skill-set during internships.
HOW DOES ONE IDENTIFY COMPANIES TO INTERN WITH?
While choosing which companies you could intern with; consider the following points:
If you wish to get exposure to a more dynamic portfolio with a spontaneous, energetic and innovative business set-up, then start-ups could be a great place to begin with. However, start-ups are more likely to bring in a less defined portfolio but hugely diversified learning. Chances of personalized mentoring are also high with start-ups.
You may choose to work with a MNC if you are very clear as to the learning outcome you expect out of internships. MNCs have a well-defined role with a clear hierarchy. To understand how procedures, processes and best practices are laid down and executed successfully, getting an internships with MNCs can really turn out to be beneficial.
If entrepreneurship is your goal- working with large set-ups in the similar set up can really be a great idea to get ideas, experiment and explore as to what may work for your venture in future.
If you are seeking to understand how particular function of your interest operates internationally and expand your network, interning abroad can be a great choice.
HOW TO SECURE AN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY?
Before you begin your research, decide the learning outcomes you seek and based on the above guide, understand what kind of a company can provide you the same.Also,Create a list of companies you wish to target for your internship. Keep the list crisp with limiting the companies to not more than 20 for a more focused search.Following are certain tried and tested methods to land lucrative internship opportunities:
Tap the Family and Friends Network:
Circulate your CV to your friends/ family members/ contacts / network having their own startup or working in the corporate domain. Explain to them what exactly you’re looking for and the learning outcomes you seek.
Online Application to Internship Portals:
Websites such as Interndesk.com, Internshala.com, letsintern.com, hellointern.com are a great source for youngsters to seek great interning opportunities. Websites like Internshala.com provide facilities like Internconnect-which allows interns to find and connect with other interns in their cities/companies.Their other features such as Internshala EDGE-reviews candidate CVs while a section on COURSES allows students to take different courses and enhance their skill-set.
Interndesk is one such website which has a pool of renowned employers such as Walt Disney, KFC, WIPRO looking for suitable candidates for internships. Register yourself with Interndesk- A Platform for Youth Opportunities. It has a pool of verified employers looking to hire and active candidates seeking lucrative opportunities- If you haven’t registered yet, take a minute register here:
Brows the Social Media Sites / Company Career Pages:
Check social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook regularly. Yes, you read it right! Facebook has a lot of groups which you could join and access the daily internship vacancies coming up across companies. Companies nowadays use social media as a prominent mode of reaching out to candidates as part of their overall hiring strategy.Also, be a regular visitor at Company websites’ career section. Companies such as Unilever, E&Y and Godrej often float internship opportunities on their career pages.
Connect with the College Placement Cell:
Placement Cells at your college can give you an insight into any upcoming internships with companies, concerned person top connect with at a certain company and help you seek internship in your area of interest. Also, seek referrals from your college professors. Visiting faculties (working professionals teaching in spare time) can be a great source to get some heads-up as to where and how can you apply. Remember 77% of the recruitment in India still takes place through word of mouth referrals.
Internships Abroad:
If you are seeking internships overseas, AIESEC can be a great source. They operate on a global scale for a student exchange program and have a network of over 44,280 students in more than 125 Counties. If you intend to intern overseas, you need to check the credit scores/ CGPA Score required for the same.
At last; to land a great internship, you need to proactively and consistently look for it. I would like to end by a quote that inspires me- “My advice for young people is, study what you love and intern in what you want to do. And I think it’s okay to pivot as many times as you need to.” –Eva Chen- Director (Fashion), Instagram.
Hope that this article proves to be useful for you and assists you in tackling your internship in high spirits. If you wish to speak to us for any guidance/ queries, write to us at: info@appetals.com.
-Authored by:
Gautami Rajadhyaksha
