This is the second post under series Alternate Pocket Money Source

It is a great opportunity for any engineering undergrad when he/she lands an internship in the 6th sem break, just before college placements begin. Why? Because you get hands-on experience in working for an organization and you still have strong memories of that work to explain in your college placement interviews.

The same thing happened to me. I got a chance to work at a reputed bank in my city which was an incredible experience.

Week 1

I joined the bank on a Thursday. I was introduced to the team by an HR colleague. Then I was quickly acquainted with my manager, who sent me an email with details of my exact role and KPIs. He also showed me my desk (that was a great feeling!). That first day, I met almost everyone on my floor but hardly recollected 5 names, read that first mail almost 50 times and that was it - work started. I sat down and understood this will be my life for the next 30 days.

The environment felt incredible to me. Everybody was open, kind, anxious to help and fantastically shrewd. The next 2 days I spent in learning the software our organization was used for internal communications and processes.

Week 2

Working in Operations isn't as sexy as it sounded to me. It seemed like the most boring side of the business but I understood that it was crucial for everything to keep running smoothly. The basic aim of the Operations function is to find the fastest, least difficult, most productive and cost-effective process to ensure that the bank is running properly. There is no fancy stuff like number crunching, investment banking, or making big profits. The challenge mainly lies in supporting and helping different blocks of the process to remain efficient.

After 6 days, I questioned myself - Will I spend my life in a bank? Because it simply wasn’t my calling at that time. I couldn’t see the immediate effect of my work on the world (maybe a silly thing to think of at that time). But by the end of the second week, I was assigned to a few major projects of the firm. I had the opportunity to put my basic accounting knowledge into practice and perform actual work that a full-time employee was doing there for the clients. My scope of work included handling real accounts and tasks which are normally assigned to full-time associates. I also got the chance to participate in many events to bond and make friends with my colleagues and fellow interns. All of this felt great.

Week 3

Apart from the normal routine, I liked how interns were treated at the bank - just like a full-time associate. We get assigned meaningful tasks that are beneficial to me personally as well as to the bank. It felt great to get my hands dirty on an actual project! The most memorable part of my internship was when my team completed a project for a major client. Even though I only joined the team for the final 2 weeks, I still felt a strong sense of achievement after the sign-off. I still remember the party that night, which got over at 3 am!

Week 4

I gained deeper insights into the industry trends and it helped me significantly with my career planning. I developed a better understanding of the career path in an Operations function of a bank. But the biggest takeaway was the new relationships and connections which I had forged with my colleagues and fellow interns at my firm.

My advice for fellow students / to-be-interns

1) Always take initiative in whatever you do

2) Start writing everything that you have learned in that particular day