InternFeel: Hello Ankit, pleasure to meet you. Please tell us more about yourself.
Ankit: In short I am interested in research, but more in practical type of things, I like to see something working. I don’t like to parties that much rather loud things. I like socialization and very friendly. In my free time, I like to read scriptures. And I keep on searching for better prospects for my future and keep introspecting what I really need to do or what I like to be.
IF: Which internship you got the chance to take? What is it all about? Stipend and duration?
Ankit: Internship name- Summer Internship Programme-2013
Internship in areas of Petroleum Research, Environment and Climate Change Research, Solar Energy Research, and Geographic Information System
Place of intern: – Gujarat Energy Research & Management Institute (GERMI), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Paid:- 10,000/- per month + accommodation.
Duration- 60-90 days
IF: How you came to know about the internship? Generally what was your way of being in touch with the media to get the information about the various internships?
Ankit: Internshala.
[su_box title=”Details”]How to apply: Last year the notification for this internship came around mid february. So stay updated via official website http://www.germi.org/news_announcement.html [/su_box]
IF: How much competitive is the selection process? What things you feel are looked for in the applicant by the selectors?
Ankit: Very much around 1600 students apply and only 15 are selected. But next year they will select 30.
IF: What qualities of yours – educational / otherwise, you feel helped you in having an edge in the selection process?
Ankit: My active participation in projects in 12th and 1st year (BAJA SAE, IBM). Also may be my UK trip (Regarding a project). They directly select on your CV basis and also they see that you have something (software or subject skills like LABview/COMSOL or say you write in your CV that you know basics of Heat transfer) that they can use in their projects. They need practical students you just need to show through your CV that you can work on things in practical as they need finished products at the end of the internship.
IF: Approximately when you got the news for the selection? How was the celebration?
Ankit: Approximately in Feb. And luckily that day I was at home so it was great..
IF: What all preparations you did (academic/otherwise) before joining and after the results?
Ankit: Nothing (very rude way of saying) as I did not expect my selection because I applied it after its last date and it was not for Mechanical students but somehow I managed to fit in one of their project. And they don’t tell you on what project you will work on so you cannot really work on anything. What all I did was just went through the projects going at GERMI.
IF: Any problems that you faced before joining, which you feel could have been easily avoided if known in before?
Ankit: No, really. They give almost every information.
IF: Any common mistakes which you feel students should avoid while searching and applying for internships?
Ankit: Just be selective instead of applying at each and every place and show that u are worth for them.
IF: So Ankit, could you please highlight us with what work/research project you carried out during the internship period? Its application in the near future and your work in it?
Ankit: In past few years, the demand for electricity has increased enormously in both residential and commercial sectors. Although we have found a lot more ways to produce electricity renewably like solar, wind etc. But the drawback of these sources is their not reliability, as no sun or no wind means no energy. Therefore, these sources need a bank to store energy safely and cheaply. So I worked on, “Development of Working Model for Compressed Air Energy Utilization” (600 Watt capacity) without producing ANY air or environmental pollution. The flow chart is shown below:-
Solar Energy~>Store Compressed Air~>Pneumatic Motor~>DC Generator~>Electricity.
IF: What was the best thing about the work culture and the internship? What all things you liked there?
Ankit: The best thing was that we were not treated like students. We were given all facilities that a scientist could get at place.
IF: What problems you or your friends faced, during the internship, which your juniors may be able to avoid? Food and accommodation?
Ankit: Food and accommodation no problem. Only problem was that being a semi-government research institute, get the funds out require a lot of paperwork.
IF: As with almost everything, what were the cons of the internship? The elements which you felt, if wasn’t there could have made this internship super awesome?
Ankit: Lot of paper work to get the products purchased. And my guide was bit busy so if he could give more time then it would have been fantastic.
IF: Were there any special events during the internships?
Ankit: Yes, a lot of. We had an educational visit to World only 1MW solar canal project. We had a friendly cricket match along with scientists. And other weekends we were given vehicle to go to nearby places.
IF: What was the guidance provided by your guide? What all support you received from the place administration
Ankit: My guide was indeed one of the best guides but with practically no time :P. We hardly met more than 3-4 times in full period of time. And hardly I got any help from the administration, rather I don’t know what help they could have offered.
IF: Any special experience which you had during this period, which you would like to share with us.
Ankit: If you are in 2nd year, Even if you miss the last date or the internship is not in ur field but you think you have a unique profile then do not hesitate to apply.
IF: To which all people you would, like to thank in context of this internship?
Ankit: I will surely say that my family helped me a lot in application of different internship… and over and above how without the mercy of GOD I surely could not have got this internship as I applied it after the last date and it was not for mechanical engineers but yet I got selected.
IF: How much difference this period of 8 weeks made in your intellectual capabilities and mindset. In broad terms what are your gains from this?
Ankit: Nothing special to say. It’s same what one get out of internship.. exposure n etc..
IF: What advice you would like to give to your juniors, which can help them in getting internships in their future college life.
Ankit: Just be natural and keep searching for your real interst, although VERY HARD to find out..:)
What are your future plans after this internship and how much impact this internship will have on it?
Research, and this internship gave me a taste of what research is all abt. And I liked it
IF: Any views about this initiative of InternFeel, and how beneficial it would be?
Ankit: Very good as it will definitely help students to know what exactly a particular internship has to offer.
IF: So Ankit, we are at the end of the interview. From the entire team of InternFeel, we thank you for sharing your experiences with us, for everyone and we wish you best of luck for all your future endeavors.
Ankit: Thanks and same to you
