Internception – What I expect from this meta-internship
Rohan Passey, a third-year student from BITS Pilani, veteran of a self-proclaimed “horrible” corporate internship in the past, looks forward to what he expects from the most meta of internships, an internship at Internshala.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
A man who has always inspired me, no matter when, is Teddy Roosevelt. Thus, it should not come as a surprise to you if this article contains multiple quotes of his. Live gloriously, enjoy life, dare to dream. It was this mantra of mine that led me to aggressively pursue this internship the moment I saw it. I mean, Editorial, Social Media, Marketing, Operations, what’s not to like?! It sounded too good to be true. Having organized APOGEE ’14, BITS Pilani’s technical festival; one glance at what they expected from me, and I was sure that this was the internship I had to get. The work seemed to be right down my alley.
Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Prior to filling the application for this internship, I had already applied for multiple internships, so it’s fair to say that the process had become extremely monotonous and boring by the time I started filling this up. So, one night, I ate my dinner, sat down at my laptop, my customary bottle of Thums Up beside me, and grudgingly got down to it. What seemed like a few moments later, the bright beam of the morning sun through my hostel window shook me from my reverie, and I realised that I had spent no less than 7 enlightening hours on just filling up the internship application! It was the first time that I had come across a work profile I connected so well with. The questions that were asked stirred up something inside me that made me definitely want this internship. Having managed to secure it now, it is this very experience of mine that has shaped exactly what I expect from this internship.
When you are asked if you can do a job, tell ’em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.
I have never worked at a start-up before. It sounds pretty cool. Not having to address your superiors as Sir, wearing clothes you feel comfortable in, all while working with the senior-most members of the organization, gives it a very nice and homely feel. Of course, this is what I’ve heard from my friends who have worked at start-ups previously. I’m sure Internshala will live up to this. The best part about working with start-ups, however, is the amount of improvisation and innovation involved. Everything is being worked up from scratch. That is exactly what organizing a college fest feels like, and I am confident that Internshala will be brilliant in that aspect too. The quote above will probably be me, especially on the first few occasions. And I certainly hope that I can find out how to do those jobs asked of me!
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Another thing that Roosevelt taught me was to maximize in life, with whatever you do. In a start-up environment, I perceive that as giving it my all. I know what I can do, and soon I will find out what I have, here at Internshala. And I know for sure that if I work to my full potential, something good will definitely follow. I am sure that I will meet motivated, professional, and fun mentors, and that will make the work here immensely pleasurable and meaningful.
Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
As a final note, I would like to add that when I saw what Internshala was trying to achieve, I was immediately on board. Having faced the problems of securing meaningful internships for quite a while, Internshala’s approach sounded perfect. I would like to see the concept blossom even more, and word of the company reach to every college student in the country. And even if I can make a little contribution to the cause, it would be sure to give me immense pleasure and satisfaction.
