First Internship Experience: A Lesson in Evaluating Opportunities

Starting out my first internship was not an impressive experience, to put it lightly. The problem statements were decent and contributed to the organization's growth, but the hiring process left much to be desired. Here, I wanted to share my journey, the mistakes I made, and the lessons I learned.

Applying for Internships

The search for an internship was more desperate than anything else. I applied for many positions through various online platforms, including Internshala and LinkedIn. Even having a referral, I hesitated to accept it as it clashed with my college schedule. Eventually, I was shortlisted for a web development role at XYZ Company through Unstop, a platform promoting internships and freelance opportunities. The interview process seemed promising, given my skills in React and NodeJS. However, the interview was a mere exercise in basic HTML questions, which I found insulting.

The interview was a letdown. Despite my skills, the interviewers asked simple questions, making me feel like even a school kid could answer them. Nevertheless, I was hired on a performance-based pay structure, marking the beginning of my first internship. My mother advised me to continue this opportunity until I received another offer, acknowledging both the good and bad aspects of the internship.

Internship Challenges and Misconceptions

During the first meet, the HR explained the task: creating a healthcare app where patients could monitor their health and book doctor appointments based on their location. Though the task seemed interesting, many interns, including myself, asked basic and unhelpful questions. One common question was, "Do we need to create a front-end or back-end application?" This question displayed a lack of understanding about web development, and I couldn't hold back a laugh. A full-stack application was essential, as user responses needed to be stored and retrieved, and booking doctor appointments required using APIs containing doctor information.

When I suggested these solutions, many were shocked, including the HR. She inquired about my previous work experience and how I knew so much. I explained that it was my first internship and that I had applied to numerous positions, only to be shortlisted for this role, which was a basic knowledge requirement for the task. She commented that XYZ Company was known for hiring candidates who wouldn't get an opportunity without an interview, a statement that left a negative impression. While she acknowledged providing opportunities, the focus on hiring unskilled candidates was disconcerting.

Another challenge was the additional task of crowdfunding, where we needed to gather 2,000 to 7,000 rupees to support unprivileged individuals. This task made me suspicious, as it seemed like a scam. I inquired about details and asked for verifiable information, but the HR directed me to their website and offered no substantial proof. When I still had doubts, they navigated me through their website, but found nothing. This experience made me skeptical, and I didn't want to participate in any illegal activities.

While the web application task was given less attention, it was clear that the company was focusing on crowdfunding. This exacerbation made everyone lose interest in the internship, and after a few days, everyone resigned.

Lessons Learned

Based on my experience, my advice is to thoroughly evaluate any job offer before accepting it. Before you start your internship, understand the company's background and the people you will be working with. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek clarification. This will help you gauge whether the opportunity is worth your time and effort.