Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, started as an INTERN in Microsoft. 👀
Isn’t it a surprising shock? Oh, yes! It is.🤯
Also, a great shock for peeps who don’t believe in the power of internships for career growth! 🙄
Well, well. The journey from internship to CEO sounds inspirational! 💯
It also shows this journey can be YOURS too!
It's important now that you realize how important and worthy an internship can be! 🙌 If you’re in high school or college, looking for an internship to kickstart your career, then keep reading! We have a bunch of cool tips on how you can land your first internship! And, also, know how you can use internships to launch your career.🚀
Bonus: We also have some real-life inspirational stories of Intern to CEO! 😎
What are internships?
Internships are often viewed as just a formality - a way to check off a box on your resume and earn some college credit. And, some internships are done just to fulfill the academic criteria. ☕📄
However, in recent times, especially during 2020, there was a hike in students taking up internships, but again, the purpose of internships was just certification on a resume! 📝
If you’re thinking about internships the same way, you need a change!
What if we told you that internships can actually launch your career? That's right, internships can be the gateway to your dream job, or even lead you down a path you never imagined, like becoming the CEO or starting a business. It can be any, the possibility is wide! 🤯
Here’s what an internship is:
No, no, it’s not dressing up formally, bringing coffee, or taking unlimited photocopies, it's much more than that! 😂
An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months.💡
It's an opportunity for students or young professionals to:
gain practical experience in their field (real work, not serving coffees) ☕🚫
Know how real-industries/ businesses work
develop professional skills
make connections with people (being nervous at first day is okay)🤭
Learn practical work under guidance
Earn a few bucks and letter of recommendation, and certificate to show-off in your resume 💲💰
And, lastly, some even get full-time job opportunities at the same place! 📈
If you’re convinced that internships are not only about coffees, and photocopies, let's see some real benefits of internships!
Benefits Of Doing An Internship: 💡
Having A Work Experience In Your Resume
Imagine going to a job interview where the interviewer asks if you have any relevant work experience, and you have nothing to show. Not an ideal situation! internships provide a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. As an intern, you'll have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, learn new skills, and get a feel for what it's really like to work in your desired industry.
Why you need work experience: A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that nearly 70% of employers prefer to hire candidates with relevant work experience. 👨💻
Building A Strong Network:
There is a saying, Network is your net worth! Internships are a fantastic way to build a network of contacts in your industry. As an intern, you'll have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals who have years of experience in your field. By making connections and building relationships with these individuals, you'll be able to gain valuable insights and potentially open doors to future job opportunities.🌐
Discovering New Career Options:
Internships are like dating, but for your career! Internships give you the chance to "try out" a domain and see if it's a good fit for you - and for them. By working in a specific industry or field, you'll be able to gain a deeper understanding of what it's really like to work in that area. Lets say, you are in III year of BBA, you’ve no idea of what field you’re going to take up as a career, working will surely help you find your dream domain! 📚
(P.S. We have success stories of students pivoting their career! Like one of our students took up HR as her career option, and then pivoted to finance, because HR was not the ‘one’ anymore! Now, she’s placed in Deloitte.
Full-time Employment Opportunity
One of the biggest benefits of internships is the potential for conversion to a full-time role. By interning with a company, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, work ethic, and enthusiasm for the industry. And if you make a good impression, you may be offered a full-time position once your internship ends.
According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, more than half of employers said they converted interns to full-time hires in 2020.
Got you! So, now that you’re convinced of the power of internship, you might need one! Right? Scroll down a bit to find the right guide to find your right match! 🤩
Perfect Match: How To Land Your Dream Internship:💯
So, here are some amazing tips that could try to land your dream internship.
Your College’s Placement Cell: Use your university's placement cell to your advantage. The placement cell can connect you to a vast network of firms and professionals. Find out about mentoring and placement programs, and tap into the alumni network to explore career opportunities.👀
Networking Events and Training Programs: Attend networking events sponsored by your university or alumni association. It's a great way to make connections and learn about other industries. If your college offers training opportunities, that’s a great add-on to your resume and experience! 🤝
Tap into the power of cold-emails: Send cold emails to the companies you're interested in interning for. Create a list of companies, personalize your emails, and don't forget to attach your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why you'd like to intern with them. 💻
Take a Look at Job boards: Browse regular job boards. You’ll find plenty of trusted job apps like LinkedIn, Internshala, and so on. Keep your resume updated, read the job descriptions carefully and start applying for openings that match your interests and qualifications.
Be active in Social Media: Leverage social media for your cause! Follow the brands that you want to work with, if they post for an opening, be swift to apply there. 🐦
Remember, being proactive in your search for internships can pay off big time. So, get out there and start exploring your options!
Ah! Now that you’ve worked hard and smart to get an internship, and have got one, hurray! Here's how you can make the best out of it!
Slay Your Internship: Tips for Making the Most of Your Experience🏅💥
Get noticed by showing initiative:
Don't sit around twiddling your thumbs waiting for your supervisor to hand you tasks. Don't wait for your supervisor to assign you tasks. Instead, take initiative and look for ways to contribute. This demonstrates your eagerness to learn and shows that you're willing to go above and beyond to make the most of your internship. 🙌
Ask questions:
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your supervisor and colleagues are there to help you learn and grow. By asking thoughtful questions, you can gain valuable insights and learn new skills. Plus, it shows that you are engaged and interested in the work. ❓
Take advantage of opportunities
Attend company events, participate in training sessions, and take advantage of any other opportunities that come your way. These experiences can help you build your skills, make new connections, and gain a better understanding of the industry.💪
Build Meaningful Connections
Take the time to get to know your colleagues and build relationships. Connect with them on LinkedIn, ask for feedback on your work, and offer to help out when you can. By building strong relationships, you can gain valuable mentors and advocates who can help you navigate your career path.💬
Done with some cool tips, keep them in your pocket forever!
Now, It’s time for some stories to help you set your goals.
Success Stories - From Intern To CEO! 🔥
Satya Nadella - CEO Of Microsoft: 🤯
From intern to CEO - that's the exact story of Satya Nadella, the man behind Microsoft's success. Nadella joined Microsoft as an intern in '92 and proved his mettle over the years. His expertise in cloud computing and his ability to lead teams propelled him to the top, where he was named CEO in 2014.
Indra Nooyi - CEO of Pepsi 😍
Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, didn't just climb the corporate ladder - she rocketed up it like a can of Pepsi exploding in a hot summer sun! She started out as an intern at Johnson & Johnson, worked at other companies, and then landed at PepsiCo in 1994. From there, she held several executive roles until finally reaching the pinnacle of success as CEO in 2006.
Arvind Uppal - ex CEO of Nestle 🌟
Arvind Uppal's journey from an intern at Nestle India to the CEO of the company in 2005 is a true testament to the value of hard work and determination. Starting as an intern at Nestle, he climbed the corporate ladder, one rung at a time, until he finally reached the top and became the CEO of Nestle India in 2005. Now, he is the chairman of Whirlpool India!
Aditya Ghosh - ex-CEO of Jet Airways 🚀
Aditya Ghosh started his career as an intern at Air Sahara (now Jet Airways) and worked his way up to becoming the CEO of the airline in 2008. He is now the CEO of OYO Hotels & Homes in India.
In conclusion, there are 1000s of success stories of interns-turned-CEOs 👑 proving that hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn can lead to great career opportunities! 🔥
So go out there, take on internships, work hard, and who knows, maybe one day you'll be the next CEO of a top company.
Get, Set, GO! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Oh wait! Before you go, check out our Menternships - mentored work experience where you can have real skills, and industry exposure without having to run errands to bring coffees, toffees or photocopies.😍🚀
