Dear Mayank Sir,
I am a college student and my summer vacations are currently going on.
Last year, I had applied for a few internships through a popular internship website and got selected for three. Of these, I chose one which promised to teach marketing skills but I got ripped off. It was a con job where we had to spend our own money making phone calls and eventually didn’t even get reimbursed, forget getting paid.
How does one directly approach companies for internships so that they take you seriously, especially when you don’t have experience?
Thank you.
Wayne

Ans:

Dear Nitin,

There are various ways to initiate your search for an internship.

1. Contact your college placement office.

2. Reach out to your college alumni.

3. Create a LinkedIn profile and express your interest of taking up an internship.

4. Send your CV to companies you would like to work with in the city where you live.

5. Friends and family can also help.

6. Take up a specialised course in the area of your interest and you will have opportunities in niche areas.

Ans: Securing an internship opportunity as a second-year computer science student requires proactive steps and effective networking. Create a well-structured resume highlighting your skills, relevant coursework, projects, and any previous experience. Tailor your resume to emphasize your proficiency in programming languages such as C, Java, HTML, CSS, and Swing, along with any notable projects or achievements. Check with your college's career services department or placement cell for internship opportunities. Attend career fairs, workshops, and networking events organized by your college to connect with recruiters and industry professionals. Explore online job portals, internship websites, and professional networking platforms such as Naukri, LinkedIn, and Internshala. Look for internship openings on the careers or internship pages of company websites. Many companies, including startups and tech firms, actively recruit interns throughout the year. Attend industry meetups, tech conferences, or hackathons to network with professionals and expand your contacts. Request informational interviews with professionals working in your desired field to learn about their career paths and inquire about internship opportunities. Participate in online coding platforms such as HackerRank, LeetCode, or CodeSignal to practice coding challenges and improve your problem-solving skills. Practice coding interview questions, algorithms, and data structures commonly asked in technical interviews. 

Remember to customize your application materials for each internship opportunity, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Be persistent in your search, follow up on applications, and stay proactive in seeking out opportunities. Internships provide valuable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insights into the industry, so make the most of this learning opportunity to further your career goals in computer science.

Ans: Here are some basic steps and recommendations: First, ascertain your specific area of interest within Economics. Examples: Finance, Banking, Data Analysis, International Trade, etc. Maintain a professional LinkedIn profile and resume that incorporate domain-specific keywords and align with your interests. Set up job/internship alerts on LinkedIn and commence applications for internships (either paid or unpaid) that align with your profile. Additionally, consider utilizing platforms such as Internshala, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Cold emails or calls to the organization where you wish to intern can be attempted. Additionally, faculty members, professors from your college, and alumni on LinkedIn are excellent resources for securing internships. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

To know more on ‘ Careers | Education | Jobs’, ask / follow Us here in RediffGURUS.