# FORESIGHT(2019 -20): Summer Internship ITC | Rajat Goel

Student Welfare Group, IIT Kharagpur
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Hi! I am Rajat Goel, I did my Internship at ITC during the summers of 2019. ITC is one of India’s foremost private sector companies with a market capitalization of INR 3.74 trillion and a turnover of INR 550 billion. ITC is rated among the World’s Best Big Companies, Asia’s ‘Fab 50’ and the World’s Most Reputable Companies by Forbes magazine and among India’s Most Valuable Companies by Business Today. ITC has a diversified presence in FMCG, Hotels, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Packaging, Agri-Business, and Information Technology.
For the students of top-notch colleges (IITs, IIMs etc.), a program names KITES is launched every year. The selection procedure of ITC is a bit comprehensive.
The answers to the fields asked in the internship application form should be honest. For Psychometric Test, the key is to read the questions carefully, you’ll find same questions asked in different manners multiple times just to check the mental stability of your mind. For the GD round, my advice is to search for a few case GD topics online and practice with your friends on the same. This will help a lot during the final GD. I firm grip on core subjects (the applicant should be ready with 2 strong subjects) and conceptual clarity is required. Knowledge about the accomplishments written in the internship form (like the past internship work, academic project) is must for the interviews.
I was working in the Agri-Business Division of ITC at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh where my major project was to Digitalise a Spice Processing Facility up to Industry 4.0 standards. This was a critical project as a capital expenditure of about 175 Cr INR was at stake. The project demanded thorough knowledge of Spice Processing as well Digitalisation Trends being adopted across industries so I planned and visited many ITC/non-ITC plants located in different parts of the country including Bangalore, Pune, Chirala etc. This was a really enriching experience and the best part is all your travel expenses are handled by ITC itself. I also contacted international vendors through video conferences for fixing deals and budget finalisation. For these jobs, I was working at the Agri-Business Division HQ at Guntur. Apart from this I was also assigned 2 minor projects related to facility’s construction phase.
The work culture at ITC is very professional. The corporate exposure that one gets at ITC is unmatchable in my opinion. People treat you equal to themselves and give importance to your ideas/inputs instead of treating you like some students who are still studying. Each and every project is very well thought upon. You are given a feeling of ownership towards the project which makes you more dedicated towards it. The thing that I liked the most at ITC was “Appreciation for Talent”, people acknowledge your efforts for any job which makes you feel motivated to deliver more. Apart from this with a brand name like ITC attached with you, international firms and organisations respect your designation which also adds to your corporate profile for any future endeavours. For future interns, you’ll enjoy a grand welcome party cum workshop during March/April for the Intern Summit at Bangalore in one of the finest Luxury-Collection Hotel of ITC (ITC Windsor).
In my opinion, someone who wants to experience corporate life to the fullest, learn how big organisations work should definitely seek for an internship. Someone who wants to utilise the opportunity instead of enjoying 2 months away from home should seek for the internship. Someone who not only wants to learn but also make an impact by his/her contribution should definitely seek for an internship.
When I got Guntur as my internship location, I was sad as it is not a very great city to chill out. But now I feel it does not matter at all; what matters at the end if the experience, knowledge and exposure that you take from the internship. Also, students focus on the high stipend that ITC pays; it is to be understood that if such a high amount is being paid the same amount of efforts should be visible from your side. Even if you contribute a little, they’ll acknowledge your efforts and surely will offer you a PPO. Last thing, Keep Calm, SAB PEACE HOGA. Day-1/Day-10 kuch fark nahi padta. BE MOTIVATED!!