Internships : What, Why, When and How

‘An internship can change your life’, says everyone who has ever done any relevant internship.

Google HR executive – Sanjeev and Rajeev, you both have been shortlisted. Tell me why should I hire you.
Sanjeev – I have excellent grades, 2 presentations, 1 department project, excellent co-curricular, and a recommendation letter.
Rajeev – All that, plus I did a summer internship at Microsoft.
Google HR to Rajeev – You’re hired!

We understand it was a truly terrible, tiny tale (and we promise to fire our Editor-in-Chief for this), but it underlines one very important fact – how crucial an internship is in one’s career.

internship

What is an internship?

Feed this question to Google and it coughs up – ‘An “internship” is an opportunity offered by an employer to potential employees, called “interns”, to work at a firm for a fixed, limited period of time.’

Let’s make it simpler for you – it’s a job before the actual job, a peek into your career before it actually starts. You will go to the office (unless you do a work-from-home internship), have real responsibilities, learn new skills and utilize your existing ones (if any), and get paid (generally). Sounds great, right?

Now, why should you do an internship?

Again, breaking it down into five main points –
1. Because work ex matters – 44 out of 100 employers value relevant work experience more than any other qualifications while recruiting (Source : The Chronicle of Higher Education). Also, getting experience will do wonders to your confidence during any job interview.

2. Because it allows you to apply classroom knowledge in real life situations – Internships give you a way to utilize your knowledge base, and expand it, by applying it in situations where the outcome is not the number of marks you score in an exam but something that could affect a whole company.

3. Because many students don’t know what they want – Internships can be used as tools to identify, or at times even discover, what you would be good at. Say, you are hired as a marketing intern at a company and that exposed you to content writing (marketing through articles), something that you loved and may eventually think of making a career out of it.

4. Because it opens many doors – Your mentor at the previous internship might put in a word for you with your next employer because she happens to know her. Likewise, an internship could open many doors for you. Even a recommendation letter works wonders at places.

5. Because you might earn college credit and even money – Many colleges, going alongside the industrial demands, now mandate internships. Working at the office instead of studying for a theory paper is much better, isn’t it? Additionally, you will earn your pocket money for college days. How cool is that!

When should you do an internship?

Whenever you’re free! Companies hire interns round the year, but most students do internships during summers and winter breaks because they have no exams during this time and lesser curriculum engagements. There are many students who even do internships round the year; work-from-home internships can be a real awesome experience!

How to find that awesome internship?

• Start with Internshala where you have more than 1 Lac employers listing their internship requirements.

• You could talk to your college Training and Placement Cell (T&P Cell). They are in constant touch with employers and a word of recommendation from your professor opens many doors for you. But T&P cell can only help you bag internships during the vacation.

• Use the internet to scour for internship openings. Many company websites post internship requirements and ask you to mail your resume directly to them. Of course, you need to have your resume ready. For tips to write a resume, check here.

An internship can pave your way to that dream job. An internship can change your life. Stand out. Find an internship today! For the best internships visit here.

Now that you know all about internships, let’s take you through the most practical guide ever written to land an internship.

Image credits: www.pinterest.com/

99 thoughts on “Internships : What, Why, When and How”

    • Biplav biswas
      July 23, 2015 at 9:03 PM

      I want to do internship in mechanical engineering

      Reply
      • Internshala
        July 24, 2015 at 1:17 PM

        Dear Biplav,

        We suggest you to keep a tab here for latest Mechanical Internships and apply to the one(s) which suit you the best. You may also subscribe to our weekly updates – http://internshala.com/subscribe

        Thanks
        Team Internshala

        Reply
  • Akansha Jain
    May 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    Helpful article.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      November 20, 2015 at 1:05 PM

      Dear Akansha,

      Thank you for your lovely words.

      Regards,
      Team lnternshala.

      Reply
  • Naman
    July 29, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Sir/Ma’am
    As u told about that sometimes we get paid also but as we are all zero experience level people how do they hire us.
    I’m an E&C 3rd year student and want to do an internship from Bangalore only kindly help me.

    Reply
  • JOBAYER HOSSAIN
    September 12, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    i want to do a internship in metallurgical engineering

    Reply
  • Ankita Sachan
    September 21, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    sir i am in cs 3 rd year . i want to do internship. how i will be selected for an enternship

    Reply
  • Rajdeep Borgohain
    October 5, 2015 at 1:58 AM

    Sir/Ma’am
    I am 1st semester CSE student and i am interested in all the internship that you have mentioned.But is this internships eligible for a student of 1st semester?

    Reply
  • pankaj sharma
    November 30, 2015 at 8:24 PM

    I want internship for MBA management.how I can take it..

    Reply
  • jain Rahul
    December 9, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    I don’t understand what is intershala ..is provide a job without any pay…how to work it

    Reply
    • Internshala
      December 11, 2015 at 5:38 PM

      Hi Rahul,

      Internshala is an online portal with 2000+ live internships for students from various profiles.

      You can apply to internships that suit your profile by registering with us (for free) using the following link –

      http://internshala.com/registration/student

      All internships come with cool stipends and certificates. If you have any queries please drop us a mail at student@internshala.com

      Regards,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • ketan singh
    December 26, 2015 at 6:24 PM

    i want to do intership in finance…

    Reply
  • swati
    December 29, 2015 at 11:53 PM

    I m an EI sec year student….is it required to do training before an intrnship???

    Reply
  • Tushar Jani
    January 2, 2016 at 2:25 PM

    Hi…. I’m B.Tech 1st year student of IT branch. I wanna persue internship. When should I apply for it. Can I get it in 1st year??

    Reply
  • Anushka Sahu
    January 18, 2016 at 12:13 PM

    Eligibility criteria?

    Reply
    • Internshala
      January 19, 2016 at 12:24 PM

      Hi Anushka,

      Different internships have different eligibility criteria.
      It depends on the internship you apply to.

      Please visit here for the internships, and apply to the one which suits your profile.

      http://internshala.com/internships/

      Hope it helps.

      Thanks

      Reply
  • Bibhuti
    February 6, 2016 at 8:10 PM

    I’m unable to edit my previously submitted work experience. I want to update my ongoing status of project to complete. How can I do that ? Please help. It’s not giving any editing option.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      February 10, 2016 at 6:35 PM

      Hi Bibhuti,

      You can edit the details yourself now in the work experience section.
      We have revamped the student profile on Internshala.

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Bibhuti
        February 11, 2016 at 12:26 AM

        Thank you very much for the response.

        Reply
  • gautam kumar swain
    February 12, 2016 at 12:52 PM

    i am a pgdm student and want to do my internship in bhubaneswar as marketing is my specialization .. suggest me the top five company in bhubaneswar to it ..please

    Reply
  • Humbe Vishal Ramesh
    February 26, 2016 at 4:54 PM

    Hellow sir, will you please suggest an internship for me ? Sir my trade is Electronics And Telecommunication, also i am interested in marketing , C, C++.

    Reply
  • Krishna
    March 23, 2016 at 4:26 PM

    Currently I am in CSE 2nd year of engineering can i eligible to go for internship?
    If tell me the internships starts from june 1st week………………(2 months)

    Reply
  • Ambhika Singh
    March 25, 2016 at 8:27 PM

    Would like to say that Internshala is an awesome platform to search internship opportunity in India. Thanks for sharing the importance of Internship that could benefit into the career of an student.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      March 28, 2016 at 5:03 PM

      Thank you Ambhika :)

      Regards,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • Krishna
    March 28, 2016 at 5:04 PM

    tell me about the internships starts from June 1st, computer science………………pls

    Reply
  • laxminarayan
    April 18, 2016 at 10:33 PM

    I just came 2 know about your website. I just wanna know little bit more about your , that actually this internshala is ??

    Reply
    • Internshala
      April 23, 2016 at 11:35 AM

      Hi,

      Internshala is an online portal with 2000+ live internships for students from various profiles.

      You can apply to internships that suit your profile by registering with us (for free) using the following link –

      http://internshala.com/registration/student

      All internships come with cool stipends and certificates. If you have any queries please drop us a mail at student@internshala.com

      Regards,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • Swathi swamy
    June 15, 2016 at 9:58 AM

    Hai..I pursued B.pharmacy in 2013..and i wanna do relevant internship.can i have a chance to do?

    Reply
    • Internshala
      June 18, 2016 at 10:50 AM

      Hi Swathi,

      At present, we don’t have any pharma internships listed on our platform. You may like to try out internships in some other fields.

      Regards,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • abiya
    June 22, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    Great post! I am actually getting ready to across this information, It’s very helpful for this blog.Also great with all of the valuable information you have Keep up the good work you are doing well.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      September 2, 2016 at 10:59 AM

      Thanks, Abiya. It’s good to know that you found the article useful.

      Reply
  • praveen
    August 25, 2016 at 7:49 PM

    sir, i’m completed my b.tech(mechanical engineering) in 2013 and 3 year gap after b.tech..now i’m doing job as a service advisor…..but i want to get a job as a mechanical engineering..what to do?? please

    Reply
  • Mohammed Moizuddin
    October 26, 2016 at 9:14 PM

    I am Having 10 years of work experience, but now i join full time MBA, so can i apply for any internship.

    Reply
  • Sanaya
    January 20, 2017 at 6:41 PM

    Hello, I am a biochemistry student, Planning to switch my field from medicine to an MBA
    Can i apply for internships pertaining to management field? Or am i not eligible for the same (given that i really have no knowledge about various MBA fields and the work being carried out in the same.)
    Please help!
    PS: I am open to learning new and different things though.

    Reply
  • AKANKSHA BARDIYA
    March 14, 2017 at 8:43 PM

    Hello sir,
    I am Akanksha Bardiya first year BBA student
    I am looking for summer internship, anything that has to do with public relations, managment, or communication.
    I will be glad if u could help me out.
    And yes the articles r really helpful n it motivated me even more to apply for internship and get good experieace!
    You are really helping the youth :)

    Reply
  • ALIVIA BHATTACHARYA
    March 30, 2017 at 11:20 AM

    I have appeared 10+2 in Science stream, basically I am very introvert and would like to continue study in foreign languages. Is there any career or internship option in this degree course. Kindly suggest me.

    Reply
  • krishna
    April 3, 2017 at 4:29 PM

    I’m from civil engineering is there any intership for me plz help me.

    Reply
  • Jerry
    April 21, 2017 at 11:46 AM

    How to apply for internship in aerospace or mechanical field?

    Reply
  • Jatinder Kumar
    April 27, 2017 at 11:14 AM

    Dear Sir/Madam

    I am a Graphic Designer in Chandigarh. i want internship for Graphic Design .in Mumbai

    Reply
  • spandana
    May 21, 2017 at 3:29 PM

    I am a student of Electrical Engineering-2nd yr,i want to do an internship what would i prefer please suggest me…..

    Reply
  • dhyani joshi
    June 25, 2017 at 1:42 PM

    how should i apply for a internship?!!!

    Reply
    • Internshala
      June 27, 2017 at 6:04 PM

      Hi Dhyani,

      Thank you for writing in. To begin your internship journey on Internshala, you may register at this link (it’s free)- https://internshala.com/registration/student. After this, you will get a verification link. After verifying, you can access your Internshala’s account. You need to fill in your preference, duration you are free for, educational details (we create a resume for you) and then you can apply to various internships. Few internships that are live on our platform are here- https://internshala.com/internships/.

      While applying, you will have to answer the question – ‘Why you should be hired for this internship?’. Your answer and the resume is shared with the employer when you apply for an internship. You can apply to multiple internships to improve your chances of getting hired.
      .
      The employer receives the application and if they like it, they get in touch with the students directly to take it further (usually assignment, or interview). The student can see the status of their applications on their account’s dashboard.

      P.S- Most of the internships on Internshla come with a cool stipend. We issue a certificate of merit for each internship you get hired to through Internshala.

      Thanks,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • Aakash
    July 6, 2017 at 9:51 AM

    Hi Internshaala team,

    I am looking for a summer internship.
    As per qualification, I am pursuing Bcom (SOL DU) and COMPANIES SECRETARIES (CS). Currently I am in CS-EXECUTIVE stage.

    Could you pls suggest and advice me for a intern in my core area ?

    And
    Can I get internship in marketing or any other sector without being having prior knowledge or experience about it ?

    Reply
  • Sonam bhadouria
    July 8, 2017 at 9:21 PM

    Sir,
    I want to do internship in pharmaceuticals

    Reply
  • Mohammad Adil Husain
    July 12, 2017 at 8:01 AM

    What is the matter that can be written in answer page to hier in internships

    Reply
  • Astha mahajan
    July 23, 2017 at 1:01 AM

    I want to do internship in AMUL

    Reply
    • Internshala
      July 25, 2017 at 5:02 PM

      Hi Astha,

      Thank you for writing in. Currently, we have no information regarding the internship in AMUL. You may check their career page.
      Also, check here for the internship opportunities in Internshala- https://internshala.com/internships

      Hope it helps.

      Thanks,
      Team Internshala

      Reply
  • seema
    August 1, 2017 at 3:53 PM

    Thank you for writing in. Currently, we have no information regarding the internship in AMUL. nice post .
    oimaa.in
    gidindia.in

    Reply
  • surbhi
    September 1, 2017 at 11:32 PM

    hey…i have completed my mba in 2015 aftr tht i hv 2 yrs gap… am i eligible for intrnship.

    Reply
  • Swati maroo
    September 6, 2017 at 9:01 PM

    Hey. I am in my first year of Bcom. Am I eligible for internships ? If yes what are the areas that in which I can do ?

    Reply
  • Monika Soni
    November 23, 2017 at 7:12 PM

    Hello
    I am post graduate and have 2 years experience. but I want to know can I get this internship in my city?

    Reply
  • Monika Soni
    November 23, 2017 at 7:18 PM

    Hello
    Can I get the internship in my city?

    Reply
    • Internshala
      November 24, 2017 at 10:12 AM

      Hi Monika,

      Thanks for writing in.
      Please visit https://internshala.com/internships. On the left side of the page, you’ll find a ‘location’ option. Select a city of your choice and browse internships available in that city.

      Hope it helps.

      Thanks~ Unnatti

      Reply
  • Shyam
    January 7, 2018 at 12:20 AM

    Hello
    Can I get internships if I currently have a year drop in third year engineering?

    Reply
    • Internshala
      January 9, 2018 at 10:45 AM

      Hi Shyam,

      Yes, you can get an internship if you have a year drop. Please visit https://internshala.com/internships for all available internships and apply to the ones that suit your profile.

      Hope this helps! Good luck!

      Thanks~ Unnatti

      Reply
  • Prashant G
    January 7, 2018 at 10:41 PM

    Hello,
    What is the age criteria to get an internship is it only for students or recently passed graduates. Because I had been graduated 6 years back and now I am in search of some source to start my career.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      January 9, 2018 at 10:24 AM

      Hi Prashant,

      Thanks for writing in.
      There is no specific age limit to begin your career with internships. You may apply to the internships irrespective of your year of graduation. Please visit https://internshala.com/internships for all available internships and apply to the ones that suit your interest.
      You may write to us at student@internshala.com in case you have any other query.

      Hope this helps!

      Thanks~ Unnatti

      Reply
  • vinoth
    January 14, 2018 at 12:16 PM

    I want internship for bca PLZ…..help me

    Reply
  • jeevan
    January 28, 2018 at 4:07 PM

    i m in 1st year of BE engineering…i want to join intership

    Reply
    • Internshala
      January 29, 2018 at 10:57 AM

      Hi Jeevan,

      Thanks for writing in.
      Please visit https://internshala.com/internships for all the internships that are live on our platform. You may apply to the ones that suit your interest.

      Good luck!

      Thanks~ Unnatti

      Reply
  • Meena
    February 16, 2018 at 4:41 PM

    Hi, great article. Please tell me about the work from home internships, how they applied. Are they available to only local candidates or any location from India applied?? How those internships are going on?? Please reply me!!

    Reply
  • Suraj yadav
    March 19, 2018 at 2:46 PM

    Hii I’m Suraj, & student of ba 2nd year.
    My summer vacation is about to started & and want to a summer internship. can I eligible for that? Please help me!

    Reply
  • yashaswi
    April 3, 2018 at 7:53 PM

    i am 15.I just completed my 10class.I feel much bored in holidays.So i also want to do something in these summer holidays.So sir can you please suggest me a internship.Can i do internships?please help me sir.

    Reply
  • Shivangi Chaturvedi
    October 14, 2018 at 4:26 PM

    Hii ….i am shivangi .Student of bcom 1st year …Am i eligible for an internship? If yes then in which feild or company may i do?

    Reply
    • Internshala
      October 16, 2018 at 10:32 AM

      Hi Shivangi,

      Yes, you are definitely eligible for doing internships. You may either look for internships in commerce-related fields or in any other domain that interests you. Please register here – http://bit.ly/new-registration to begin your journey on Internshala. Once you’ve registered and logged into your account, you may click on the ‘Internships’ button on your dashboard to view all the available internships. You may select ‘commerce’ from the ‘Category’ option given on the left side of the page.

      Thanks~ Unnatti

      Reply
  • preethamoorthy
    January 30, 2019 at 3:30 PM

    Hi i m preetha. i want to intership in electrical and electronics communication engineering

    Reply
    • Internshala
      February 6, 2019 at 12:09 AM

      Hi Preetha,

      Thank you for writing in.

      For internships related to electrical and electronics communication engineering, please click here – http://bit.ly/ece_is and http://bit.ly/eee_is and apply according to your preference.

      Thanks~ Ankit

      Reply
  • Shahid Iqbal
    March 11, 2019 at 2:39 PM

    I am appearing for my 12th. Can I apply for internship?

    Reply
  • Sowmya pedada
    May 13, 2019 at 4:50 PM

    Hai sir..Good evening!!..I just completed my b.tech 1st year …I want to know about internships …In this summer holidays i want to do some courses…Please suggest me on this sir

    Reply
    • Internshala
      May 14, 2019 at 1:28 PM

      Hi Sowmya,

      Thank you for writing in.

      To look for various internship opportunities, you could register on Internshala here – http://bit.ly/new-registration. Once you have registered, you may browse all the internships available on our platform here – http://bit.ly/internship_is. You can filter internships according to your preference and duration available on the left side of the page. Hope it helps.

      Thanks :)

      Reply
  • GDevan
    May 22, 2019 at 8:28 PM

    Hello, I am a 2nd year CS student. I recently got selected to a copywriting internship. May I know in what way a copywriting internship can be helpful for CS student?

    Reply
  • saipriya
    July 23, 2020 at 8:36 PM

    Hello,I completed my btech ece in 2019.I wanted to do internship,so is there any internship on sql. May I know is any skills compulsory requried before applying for internship on internshala.

    Reply
    • Internshala
      July 27, 2020 at 2:48 PM

      Hi Saipriya,

      Yes, we have internships matching your preference. Please visit here – http://bit.ly/internship_is to view all relevant internships available on our platform. You may filter internships according to your preferences (category, location, duration etc.) given on the left side of the page to find internships of your interest and apply for the ones that suit your profile.

      It’s not mandatory to have skills to apply for internships of your interest. However, we recommend you to have basic knowledge of the skills required for the respective internship to increase your chances of getting hired.

      Thanks

      Reply

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