INTERNSHIP

I AM READING A LOT OF DARWIN… AND IT

IS NOT THE STRONGEST OF THE SPECIES
THAT SURVIVES, NOR THE MOST
INTELLIGENT THAT SURVIVES. IT IS THE ONE
THAT IS MOST ADAPTABLE TO CHANGE.

_ JOSE MOURINHO IN AN INTERVIEW

YESTERDAY.
WHAT EXACTLY WAS IT?
a. INTERNSHIP IS AN EFFECTIVE CATALYST IN GETTING YOU READY FOR THE
COMPETITIVE MARKET PLACE

b. FROM THE INTERNSHIP, YOU HAVE ACQUIRED INSIGHT INTO THE IN-HOUSE AND
MARKETPLACE OPERATIONS OF A COMPANY AT THE SAME WAVELENGTH AS OF A
REGULAR EXECUTIVE. THE OVERALL LEARNING AND EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES GAINED
DURING THE INTERNSHIP IS CENTRAL TO EQUIPPING YOU TO SUCCESSFULLY
WEATHER THE PLACEMENT GATE.
 THE INTERNSHIP HAS…

• ensured socialization in specific corporate environment, the

organization's work style and culture
• been a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and
practical experience by testing, validating, challenging and reinforcing the
learning from the pre-internship semesters
• been a reliable recruiting channel for various organizations as they help the
recruiters to identify high-potential probable human resources across the four
months.
• effectively set the stage for final placement preparedness with specific
employability skills.
HOW TO MAKE USE OF THE EXPERIENCE?
THIS IS WHERE SOFT SKILLS COME IN

• Include the experience in your CV using the right format (more

on that later when we get to the classes where we discuss the
CV
• Prepare modules to highlight on the experience gathered during
the internship and effectively articulate that to the panel.
• Actually work on your strengths and weaknesses
KEYWORDS…

• Where (details of the company/firm)

• When (mid sem, end sem, etc)
• How long was it?
• Which area did you work in, and in which position?
• Who did you work under?
• What role did you have? The actuals tasks undertaken on a day to day basis
• Did you have to communicate a lot, or was it desk work?
• Learning outcomes… what did you actually learn (the most important)
• Barrier to the learnings… more on that in the next slide
• How the internship help you?
THE BIGGEST PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICK…
SPEAK OF YOUR WEAKNESSES BEFORE THEY
ASK IT TO YOU
• Talk about the problems you faced during the internship

• Highlight on your weaknesses… but positivise them

• For eg: sir, during the internship, I was put through rigorous training and
I had to work on tight schedules and perform on a high level. It was my
first foray into work. The work culture was intensive and enriching at
the same time. However, the GOOD part of the internship was that I
became aware of a few weaknesses of mine which I wasn’t aware of: for
eg, I never knew that I ……… but the takeaway is that, sir, having
become aware aware of these shortcomings. I can now work on
bettering myself as a professional and not carry these weaknesses into
my new workplace. Wherever I work. I’m truly blessed to have had an
opportunity to work as an intern at XYZ firm. Im grateful to my Univ.
NEVER USE WORDS LIKE

STRESSFUL, TIRING, BORING ETC WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE NEGATIVE

ASPECTS OF ANY EXPERIENCE, INSTEAD FOCUS ON STRONG WORDS SUCH
AS ENRICHING, TEDIOUS AND DEMANDING

ALSO AVOID STOCK PHRASES LIKE… “IT WAS WONDERFUL” OR “IT WAS
AMAZING” IT SHOWS THAT YOU ARE IMMATURE AND NOT PROFESSIONAL
ENOUGH

USE WORDS AND PHRASES LIKE… “ IT WAS AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE” OR

“THE INTERNSHIP WAS A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE”, “IT WAS INTENSIVE AND I
GOT TO LEARN A LOT”
U TIMATELY FOCUS ON…
• You are skilled
• You are dedicated and willing to adapt to change

• You are job ready.

• You are dynamic
• You are willing to learn. Because it is probable that most of what you
learnt in classrooms will not help you in practical day to day exercises in a
business environment.
• Intelligently put all these points when you speak of the internship… how
to tried to do all that
For eg…

I was looking forward to the internship as it would give me an opportunity to

acquire a number of skills imperative to working effectively… At xxyz
company, I also learnt to be dynamic as I was given a role I wasn’t
comfortable with initially, but towards the end of the internship I was more
than adapted to that role. It taught me to be open to change and growth.
Further, I had brilliant mentors who proved indispensable to me as far as
learning was concerned. I can’t wait to put all my learning to positive use at
my new job, if selected.