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InternFeel ID: IF15002
Internfeel: Hello Darshit, we would like to know something about you, to help readers know your profile and interests (academic and non-academic).
Darshit: Hi, I am Darshit Jasani, a student of B.Tech Civil Engineering at SVNIT, Surat. I like travelling, music (only listening ) and meeting new people!
Internfeel: Which internship(s) did you get the chance to take? What was it all about? Stipend and duration?
Darshit : I have done three major internships (and some virtual internships as well), one at Kunal Structure Pvt. Ltd. (2 months) which is a construction company and my role was to assist site engineers in various operations occurring on site. The second one was in my college: SVNIT as a summer research intern (3 months), where I conducted an independent research under guidance of a prof. The latest one was at IIM-A. It was a research internship (45 days) again, but had non-technical (managerial) content.
Internfeel: How did you come to know about these internships? Generally what was your way of being in touch with the media to get the information about the various internships? (Any websites or specific source?)
Darshit: The IIM-A internship was obtained by directly mailing to the professor. However, I had learnt about such internships and method of applying by various forums, majorly being Internfeel and Internshala.
Interfeel: How competitive is the selection process? What things you feel are looked for in the applicant by the selectors?
DarshitThe competition was relatively very hard, because in this method of randomly mailing to professors, you never know which professor from which college is hiring interns. Secondly, you never know the roles he is offering and the type of candidates he wants. So I guess it’s all luck on how your application reaches the interns hiring professors. But, it’s sure that after a vigorous labour of sending every professor a mail, you must have a profile that would get you selected by the intern hiring professors.
I exactly don’t know what were the factors that professor had in mind while selecting. Maybe what he saw was POINTERS (please don’t ‘underrespect’ it) as it shows your focus and dedication. Second, maybe previous experience (may be anything, but must show that you have done good work)
Internfeel: What qualities of yours – educational / otherwise, you feel helped you in having an edge over the selection process?
Darshit :My good work at previous internship and cgpa.
Internfeel: Approximately when did you get the news for the selection? How were the celebrations done?
Darshit : Actually the news of selection came on gradually – like it was a 4-5 days of negotiation (of terms and conditions!) through mails, and anyways my midsems were going on. So when midsems ended, it was a good celebration.
Internfeel: What all preparations you did (academic/otherwise) before joining and after the results?
Darshit: Nothing. He even kept my role and work a suspense!
Internfeel: Any problems that you faced before joining, which you feel could have been easily avoided if known about beforehand?
Darshit : Nothing.
Internfeel: Any common mistakes which you feel students should avoid while searching and applying for internships?
Darshit: Please don’t send elaborate mails containing SOP and all. Reasons:
1) They don’t have time to read it
2) They will reject you, even if you have excellent SOP
3) They will select you, even if you have ‘BEKAR’ SOP
4) In such type of application, you send same mail to 100s of professor. You don’t have that much time. Just copying and pasting same mails content will be a great headache.
5) Also, like as it was in my case, I wanted to go to IIM-A who ever was taking me as intern. Generally, everyone has that. You cant be choosy in that. So, I didn’t tell any preference of work. I sent a generalised mail, same for all, containing only my basic details and no SOP.
Internfeel: So Darshit, could you please highlight us what work/research project you carried out during the internship period? Its application in near future and your work in it?
Darshit: I wrote academic cases for IIM A, one completely and one partial. The topic was “Uber Rape Case, Delhi” and other one on “Revamping the Planning Commission”. The Uber case is almost approved by the IIM A Case Committee. The other one needed some more work and was supposed to be completed by another intern joining after I left. The case is to be used by IIM A for variety of purposes.
Internfeel: How was the work culture of your place? What was the best thing about it and the internship? Work timings.
Darshit : The location was legendary heritage campus – The red bricked, Louis Kahn designed IIM A campus. It just felt heavenly there. We were eight interns, although working independently, had a great fun together. The research assistants working for professor were also very helpful and friendly. Work timings: 24X7!!! The prof. could call at any time, be it 7 in morning or 9 in the evening. Although many a times meeting time was pre fixed. Otherwise work timings were not fixed, it was work amount based and not time based. I mean you had to finish a task in stipulated time frame, if you lagged, you required a big overtime, but if you completed it early, you were free.
Internfeel: As with almost everything, what were the cons of the internship? The elements which you felt, if they hadn’t been there could have made this internship better?
Darshit: Firstly, the minimum time required from internship was 45 days, while my college break was of 28 days. So had to do a great amount of “permission taking work” from college and after internship, I was left over with a big pile of college studies work (tutorials, assignment, lab works etc). So wished the timings were in sync.
Internfeel: Were there any special events during the internships?
Darshit : We all co-interns had a great bonding and so went for outings all together. At that time, Ahmedabad was very happening with various events: Vibrant Gujarat, Patang-Utsav, Kankaria Carnival etc. So we had a good time together. IIM-A is itself a happening place. Everyday some event or the other was held. So, we worked hard, day long and then enjoyed in the evenings!
Internfeel: Darshit what/how was the guidance provided by your guide/by your professor, whom you worked under?
Darshit: The prof. is a great person, indeed he is one of the top persons in IIM-A. He is head of various high level committees and has got a great charisma. His discipline, punctuality, focus, dedication and sharpness inspired me and also made me work in that way (I am far far away, but still trying to reach that level). His guidance was very sharp and crisp. We had short but powerpacked meetings where he guided me in my work.
Internfeel: Could you please guide the readers on any application related area? Any special areas which they should pay importance or anything specific which may give them an extra edge?
Darshit: So basically you need three things-
1) Make a great profile,
2) Express them properly (CV and SOP)
3) Make your application reach appropriate hands
For application, start working on making a profile from the first year itself. Because small steps will make you reach your goal.
IF ANY ONE OF THESE POINTS GO WEAK, YOU CAN’T MAKE IT THERE. The statement is quite negative, but it’s what the situation outside is.
Internfeel: Any special experience which you had during this period, which you would like to share with us.
Darshit : I would like to draw attention of readers to- interns at IIM A are nerve wrecking. They need a lot of time and effort. I have had days with 3 hours sleep. But there is no gain without pain. So I want to say is go prepared. If you don’t work there, you will be responsible for a stain on your college’s reputation and you will jeopardize internship chances of your juniors. And to make it clear, I didn’t do anything but saw one other guy doing that.
Internfeel : To who all people would you, like to thank in context of this internship?
Darshit : Pre internship: Internshala and Internfeel for grooming me (I was virtual intern at both) and learnt lot of internship related things there.
During internship: Souhardya, Arpita and all my co-interns for keeping the tempo high and supporting throughout.
Internfeel : How much difference this period summer vacation made in your intellectual capabilities and mindset. In broad terms what were your gains from it
Darshit: “Dude it was IIM A!” It brought a big change in my habits, attitude towards some things and some other intangible qualities. In short, it made me a better person.
Internfeel : Any views about this initiative of InternFeel, and how beneficial it would be? Any suggestions?
Darshit: It is very good initiative. Interviews play a key role in getting more information about internships because it is from someone who has already experienced it. I personally learnt lot of things from it and so am excited about taking the legacy forward.
Internfeel : So Darshit, we are at the end of the interview. From the entire team of InternFeel, we thank you for taking out your time and sharing your experiences with us, for everyone. We wish you best of luck for all your future endeavors.
Darshit : Thank you. It was pleasure.
