BBA Diaries: The Ultimate Guide to Find Your First Internship( 2024)

Updated for 2024: I found many juniors still struggling to get internships in 2024, so I added a segment with more tips.

Internships can be a fun experience in college. I remember being very excited about my first internship. Getting hands-on experience is very important with your course curriculum in college, especially if you are a BBA student like me. This article is especially for those who aren't exactly in a tier 1 college like DU (a sad story for another day).

This article is written for those in smaller colleges pursuing BBA and haven't lost all hope with their degree yet. Hang in there, soldier. I am here with an ultimate guide that worked for me.

Why Should You Intern Anyway?

Management is a very theory-oriented subject, and you are burdened with many books, from Philip Kotler's Principles to Harold Koontz's Management. We often forget that no two managerial situations are the same. Only the underlying principles remain the same- the course of action is different.

This brings us to the question: why is interning important as an undergrad management student?

• To gain real-life experience of how a corporate office works.
• To understand that you will not start at the manager position at the beginning of your career.
• To understand the seriousness of office space- the professional tone, the language, the emails, Skype... everything.
• To realize that the theory you read will not come in handy when you're just starting.

Before You Start Applying...

I will tell you a harsh truth: as a BBA student (and if you are reading the same curriculum as me), there is an 80% chance you have yet to develop an employable skill. Technically speaking, you must figure out a domain before applying for internships.

What interests you in Management?

Operations? Marketing? Human Resources? It can be anything and everything. It is okay if you cannot figure this out in your first few months and jump from one domain to another. But you need to start somewhere.

1. So, pick a domain, like I chose marketing.
2. Find out what skills you need for this domain.
3. Pursue a free online certification or learn through YT videos.
4. Try to either find an internship or do a personal project.

For someone on the same path as me, for marketing, you can explore content marketing, content creation, content writing, on-page and off-page SEO, Google Adwords, and social media marketing. Or you can do a digital marketing course to learn a little bit of these skills.

For example, suppose you want to get into Data Analytics. In that case, you must know your way around software like Python, SQL, and Microsoft Excel and data visualization tools like PowerBi or Tableau.

If you are confused and can't find a skill matching your needs, you should learn this one thing in whatever domain you want to enter- Advanced Excel.

Where Will You Find Internships?

This is the question that prompted me to start writing this article. I remember at least five of my classmates asking me this same question. I don't believe in gatekeeping, so here is the one-word answer: Internshala.com .

Internshala is a platform that literally says A dot com business with the heart of dot org. Internshala is a student-friendly platform that charges you zero for applying to internships or even jobs.

There are paid courses to level up your skill game as well. But what I loved about Internshala is that I didn't feel so scared about interning after I started with Internshala. The app clearly provides filters, like domain, expected stipend, duration, internships with job offers, etc. You can also choose to work from home or an office in your city. I prefer to work from home because, you know, 70% attendance!

The best part about Internshala is that there is almost no fraud. The app tells you that interning should cost you nothing as a student and that you should be paid. Bad companies are reported and blocklisted- I will say it is a safe space to explore. I will write another article on how to keep your profile relevant on Internshala so that you can get more offers.

But Why Am I Not Getting Internships?

There is a good possibility that you try and apply to 10 internships daily and still get no response. Internshala has too many students on their platform, and internships often see as many as 150+ applicants. With so many applicants, it is an 80% chance you won't get it if you don't have something to offer.

This is precisely why I asked you to select a domain and master relevant skills. What sets you apart from the crowd is either previous experience or proven skills with managing events like College Fests (Guess what? I don't have any in my college) or proven skills with certifications.

Since I am against gatekeeping, here are a few websites that you can explore for free certifications (Yes, absolutely free!) on various domains:-

• Great Learning - For all kinds of domains. You can learn Python, AI, Marketing, and Data Science.
• Alison - Various domains like IT, health, language, business, and even personal development.
• Simplilearn - Various Domains like Cloud Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, Digital marketing, and Data Science.
• Google Digital Garage - Here, you will find many online courses but certification for Google Digital Marketing Certificate only.
• Forage - Here, you will find the most prominent companies (Big like the Big 4, Tata, Accenture, PwC, etc.) offering virtual experiences. These can vary from Data Visualization to Investment Banking.

How to Find Your First Internship?

I know it takes work to start on your own. It is hard to convince an interviewer that you are willing to do good even if you don't have experience. I have given the background information and resources above. Now, I will discuss how I would like you to approach this internship.

1. Find Relevant Skill Certifications

As I have said earlier, relevant skills for a job will make you stand out from the crowd. Remember, while pursuing a BBA, someone with technical skills is still way above just a BBA degree.

If your college organizes events and fests, it is the best way to showcase skills like leadership and teamwork. I think you should participate. If you have no other option like fests, try certificates on skills like Excel and other domain-related skills. You should go through those websites to get a certificate or two. At least you will start somewhere, and then you can upgrade to more like paid certificates when you have mastered the basics.

2. Build A Portfolio

It is entirely okay if you don't find an internship. That should not stop you from learning and growing. If nothing, you can start your own personal projects. If you are a content writer, start writing on your own blog. If you are an aspiring data analyst, build your own PowerBi Dashboard with public data sets. Build a portfolio to show in addition to your resume. This will show proof of your work and skills to employers. It is nice to say, "Yes, this is my first internship, but I have a blog I write on."

3. Go with Unpaid Internships

On Internshala, you will find many internships that are listed as unpaid internships. These can vary from 1 week to 6 months as well. Most of the time, these internships carry a certificate of completion at the end. This is not my favorite method out of the three, but it works too. Unpaid Internship is still experience, and when combined with relevant certifications, they build an excellent online internship-worthy resume.

However, I suggest looking forward to 1 week or 15-day unpaid internships rather than a 3 month long one. These are often hectic if stretched so long. Sometimes, they mass-hire for unpaid interns. As long as it is via Internshala, it is probably safe.

PS- I did my first content writing internship as a week-long unpaid internship for an NGO. So, as much as I hate this way, it works!

That's all for now. While writing, I found a few topics that can be a part of the following article under BBA Diaries. Before I bid you adieu, here are the key takeaways for the lazy-heads.

Key Takeaways

• It is essential to intern while you learn so that you stay grounded in the reality of the corporate world.
• Before applying to internships, one must acquire some skills to stand out from the crowd.
• You can find work-from-home or work-from-office internships at Internshala, a student-friendly platform.
• Even if you are not getting paid internships, try with certificates, an online portfolio, or unpaid internships.

What's Changed in 2024?

Well, the job market is bad. It is becoming harder to get an internship. So, the above tips might seem outdated. Here are a new set of ideas that you can follow to get an internship:

Fix Your Resume

Everyone says this but I will tell you how to fix your resume if there is no experience. Fix it not fill it with random achievements from Grade 5. Pick up a self-initiated project. It can be as simple as going to YT and doing a data analysis project. Mention some metrics in your resume.

Eg: SuperStore Data Analysis Project

• Analyzed sales data from 100+ SKUs of Superstore to segregate them into top 5 ROI-generating regions.

Fix Your LinkedIn Account

LinkedIn is the new resume for most companies. Recruiters approach through LinkedIn. Be shameless about your achievements and don't be humble. Brag on LinkedIn. Optimize your profile and network around your college/seniors/alumni. Don't force content but maintain a presence on the platform.

Apply Widely

I know this article is very biased towards Internshala but, with a tough job market, it is important that you use different channels. If you have a good LinkedIn presence, LinkedIn Jobs is a good place to start.

I know it's hard to bag that first offer but everyone starts somewhere. Keep working hard, you'll slowly get it.