How I got an internship at DRDO – The complete process
About the Author: Satish Beja, an Electronics & Communication (ECE) student from ABES Engineering College, gives us a glance at his selection experience for an internship at DRDO.
Internship plays a vital role in building one’s career, and it also adds value to their education. As in every engineering college, it is mandatory for a pre-final year student to undergo an industrial training or a summer internship, I too, like everyone else, underwent one. I did my industrial training from DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation), New Delhi, and initially, I wasn’t sure how to apply for it. I referred to various websites and spent a lot of time on DRDO’s website. One of my seniors then explained to me the selection procedure and functions of various departments at DRDO.
I applied in the LASTEC Department (Laser Science & Technology Center) of DRDO and emailed my resume to the HR Department. After a few weeks, I got a reply regarding the interview schedule along with some important guidelines related to the documents that I needed to bring along for verification.
More than 500 students came that day, and we were asked to stand in a queue, and then, individually, our identities were checked. There after, we were guided to the seminar hall where we had our interviews; I was interviewed by one of the scientists of DRDO.
These were the questions asked during the interview process:
1. What is the difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller?
2. How does the speed of data communication increase every now & then? What is the technology that drives it?
3. What is modulation?
4. How does Coaxial cable work?
5. What is the full form of LASER and how does it work? Also, name the different types of lasers.
6. What is TIR?
The interview went well as I knew the answers to all the above-mentioned questions. After a few days, I got an email regarding my selection, and I was asked to report at DRDO for confirmation. I had an interest in Embedded System Design, and so, I wanted to do a project in that domain. I was fortunate to get a chance to work in the LASTEC Department where most of the ECE students were trained.
I did my six-week training at DRDO under the supervision of Rajesh Kumar Lakwal (Scientist ‘C’). I worked on a project named – Wireless Data Communication using RF Module. In this project, we used SX1278 RF module, which we operated within a range of 50m. The SX1278 transceivers feature the LoRa long range modem that provides ultra-long range spread spectrum communication and high interference immunity whilst minimizing current consumption. After successful completion of the code, it was implemented; the results were observed on the serial monitor, and then, verified.
DRDO has a structured work culture. It is one of the best Research & Development Organisations that India has. It was a privilege to be a part of such a prestigious organization and to work with such renowned scientists, who are making our nation stand out on a global level, especially, in the field of technology.
If Satish’s experience motivates you, you can check the latest internships in Delhi and electronics internships.
Editor’s note – If you also have an interesting story to share, you can now participate in Your Internship Story Contest 2017 and win cash prizes and goodies worth INR 1 Lac!
