From 800 to 15,000 – What a journey it has been!
Sonal (we do not really know if her last name is Jain or Sethiya) has the unique distinction of being Internshala’s first ever intern hired back in September 2011 and she has seen Internshala grown through the phases and been an integral part of each chapter of this story! When she is not busy working on Social Media, Editorial, or Publicity, she takes pleasure in hacking Suthirth’s facebook account, trolling Jai, or being trolled by Sidharth!
Back to college after the summer break.
Fresh faces, new ideas and the usual electricity-filled air in the old damp canteen which tried too hard to get a make-over.
” Dude, I went to this super cool, awesome place…“
“It was crazy.This one time, we guys were totally set on…“
“I swear I saw her in London that week. She lied…“
“My parents don’t understand..“
“It’s called Internshala and apparently…“
Stops panning the camera. Zooms in. In focus. Record.
Guy A in baggy pants and red GAP sweatshirt: “It’s called Internshala and apparently, they help students get paid internships.“
Girl B with black pumps and a violet Ginger bag: “Paid? Did you check? Half of them use us as free labour.”
A: “No, seriously. One of my cousins from IIT-Delhi got an internship through them. It’s pretty cool. He works from home and gets paid for it. Sounds legit enough?“
B gets her Blackberry out as she says: “What was the site again?”
Fast forward. Three days later in computer lab.
Girl C with curly hair in a Beatles T-Shirt: “But where do they find these internships from?“
Boy D with a leather bound book, dressed all formal: “Not our problem. It’s better than begging others for projects and internships. I have applied to two companies. Let’s see.”
Girl C with a hint of doubt on face: “Reckon it will work? WhatsApp me the link.”
Boy D: “Cameron, please! I spent 3 hours on the internet internship-hunting last weekend. They have internships even in non-engineering sector. Give it a try atleast? What’s with you and…”
I smile in a corner of the room and get back to admiring the rugged simplicity with which Gregory House approaches the living world, a series my co-interns got me addicted to. Just as my buzzer goes off and I get ready to pack for the lab, Ananya’s workplace catches my sight. The familiar blue and white preset which I’ve visited almost everyday in the last month flashes on a monitor two rows ahead of mine.
Tada. Drum roll. With strange dignity, I pick my college jersey and take the longer way out, beaming, smiling to no one in particular. Happy guitar music plays in my head as I stream out.
Camera trollies to the door.
Jump. Outside the room, on the corridor.
A trio of sophomores, resting against the white railings, watching their glaring reflections in the notice board on the wall opposite.
The one with a scarlet muffler as though it had been borrowed from the wizarding world of Harry Potter: “I am doomed. With this attendance, I can not sit for internship placements.”
Silence for a breather.
The one with a dull grey jerkin: “Chill. You’ll make up. Else, there’s always Internshala…“
Cut.
That had to be it. I hadn’t felt so happy in days. It was a moment of pride.
The 90 second walk from level 5 to 7 was one of the best of its kind, in that place. Hearing people I meet everyday talk about something I hold dear is joy I can’t express. What I felt that day was pristine pride and happiness. And to celebrate, the heavy clouds broke out into a roaring downpour.
I’ve seen Internshala grow from 800 likes on Facebook to 15000. I’ve seen it grow from a team of four to over forty people who will now proudly call themselves as Internshala’s goodwill ambassadors. I’ve seen it grow from a small domain on the internet to a lively chatroom, an online festival, a network hub and an event which shows students the options they have. It helps in making informed decisions.
This and so much more in last ten months.
It was another damp day of the early monsoons to most others. To me, it was a day like no other.
After all the work behind Internsaturday and promotions on social media and elsewhere, it was a pleasure to see people talking about us. It’s like the nectar a bee finds after hours of patient work.
If I could, I would have arranged immediate apparition of the team- Sarvesh and other well wishers to witness this scene, rejoice with me for having been the best team with the strongest of determination.
They truly deserve to know where they’ve taken Internshala.
An hour and a half later, as I treated myself to hot chocolate with marsh mellows, looking at the raindrops beating the window pane of my room, I smiled. I recollected with what passion, sincerity and love, Sarvesh pronounces ‘Internshala.’
What a journey it has been.
