FORESIGHT(2023): Summer Internship at JSW| Lalam Hari Prasad |

Brief Introduction:

Hello Everyone! I am Lalam Hari Prasad, a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. I joined JSW as a Supply Chain & Logistics Intern (BPSL Plant Odisha) in the Summer of 2023 as part of their Summer Internship Program (SIP).

How did you get into JSW? What was the selection procedure?

There were three rounds in the selection procedure: an online assessment, a group discussion, and an interview.

a. Online Assessment: It consisted of two sections; one section primarily focuses on the psychometric & reasoning skills of the student and has straightforward questions, the only catch being that you get significantly less time. The other section focuses on the Core knowledge of your respective Department, and one can easily crack this section if they have the gist of the core Department Subjects.

b. Group Discussion: This could be the crucial part of the assessment as a group consists of 6 to 8 students. Two topics were put forward by the panel one after the other:

1. Tata Acquisition of Air India

2. The current value of Paint Industries in India

One must feel free to express their views to the panel within 15 minutes, and the topics majorly revolve around current Industrial news and happenings.

c. Interview: A Handful of students were shortlisted after the first two rounds, and a final call with the Company executive was held, where he majorly asked a few HR Questions, discussion on past projects and internships, CV grilling, and some tricky questions to test the student's alignment toward the core disciplines. This round lasted roughly 20 minutes.

How to prepare for them?

One has to be thorough with the concepts of their core discipline. For Metallurgy students, Basic Extractive Metallurgy, Iron and Steelmaking, and the fundamentals of thermodynamics are essential topics.

Solving core Metallurgical engineering and aptitude questions for the Assessment round would be good enough to get through it.

For the GD round, one must know current Industrial news and a little company background. More than 50% of students get eliminated this round, and one must provide sound reasoning for their views and initiate the discussion.

For the interview, one should be able to explain everything mentioned in the CV. One should be clear with all aspects of the projects/internships they have done. The students should have a thorough idea of the company beforehand to quickly drive the interview and express their interests to the interviewer.

Resources I have followed: Resources for CDC Preparation (you can find the resources for every profile here)

What difficulties did you face while preparing for this Company/Profile? How did you overcome this problem?

Before the start of CDC, I was a little uncertain about the profile as I have explored both the software and Management profiles and found interest in both. I prepared for both of them and kept SDE as my backup profile.

During the CDC phase, I find it a little difficult to practice for both profiles and maintain consistency, so I suggest everyone better stick to one profile if possible, or if you are interested in multiple profiles, prioritize them and keep one as the backup because it's challenging to master multiple profiles within the short time, given you won’t get enough time to practice for each profile.

According to you, who should ideally apply for this job?

Although JSW is a core company, the work here primarily revolves around many businesses like Sales & Marketing, Operations, CSR, Supply Chain Management, E-Commerce, and many more business verticals.

One must utilize Core domain knowledge and Problem-Solving skills to solve real-life Industrial Problems, significantly impacting the industrial turnout.

People interested in the above-mentioned Techno-Managerial Domains are suitable for applying to this role.

Any specific advice you want to give to the junta sitting for internships this year?

Commonly, the companies visiting this target profile (Core/Management) are very few, and there is massive competition for these companies. Do not feel disheartened if you don't receive a shortlist or cannot make it through all the assessment rounds. There are many off-campus opportunities.

Stay in touch with your parents, friends and constantly seek their guidance if you feel like giving up.

Remember, you possess unique skills and qualities that make you a strong candidate. Stay focused on your goals and maintain a positive mindset. It can be beneficial to seek guidance from seniors who have successfully gone through similar experiences. Their insights and advice can provide valuable perspectives and help you navigate the process more effectively. Keep pushing forward, stay determined, and believe in yourself; success is within reach.

I recommend that everyone read the job description before applying or consult seniors who have worked in that particular company to know about the work culture beforehand, as you cannot apply to every company that has visited the campus.

What are some of the major points you think would be valid to mention in your CV while targeting this profile?

Managerial Companies usually look for an all-rounder personality who has many skills besides their academics. Some of the points to be mentioned in your CV are:

Projects & Internships: Highlight significant projects you have completed, emphasizing your role and accomplishments.

Publications or term papers: If applicable, include any research papers, articles, or presentations you have authored or delivered.

Positions of Responsibility: Although very few companies look into these (unless you are from any cell or hold Gymkhana managerial post), it reflects your leadership skills, managerial techniques, and more.

Remember to tailor your CV to the specific role you're applying for, highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills that align with the profile's requirements.

Here’s wishing all the very best to the CDC junta this year! Feel free to reach out in case of any queries!