What I learnt during my internship at ITC Limited -By Vishnu Vijayan from SIOM Nashik
ITC Limited, with a legacy of 108 years, boasts of a multi-business portfolio that encompasses a wide range of businesses from Fast Moving Consumer Goods to Personal Care to Branded Apparel and much more. Supply Chain Management is one such area that has never failed to pique my interest. So, doing an internship at ITC Limited appeared to be a well-placed decision. The profile on offer was so lucrative that saying 'NO' was not an option.
What is the selection process for doing an internship at ITC Limited?
The selection process of ITC Limited was elaborate and comprised of the following 4 stages:
- CV Shortlisting
- Aptitude Test
- Group Discussion
- Personal Interview
ITC Limited’s selection process was a tough nut to crack. Each round was eliminatory in nature so I couldn't afford any risks. Display of lax attitude was a big ‘No-No’. What worked in my favor was a solid combo of a perfect resume, the right attitude, and thorough preparation.
What was my role during my internship at ITC Limited?
Hired as a Logistics and Supply Chain Management intern, my project entailed working on IoT based GPS initiatives and tracking the real-time movement of trucks inside the warehouses. Moreover, I was supposed to explain the process at the warehouse and capture its application in detail. This role was comparatively new for me and allowed me to experiment with a whole lot of new things. The hands-on exposure that followed was something that I was actually waiting for. Overall, my internship at ITC Limited inculcated in me some of the invaluable skills that will come in handy in my future stints as well.
What did I learn during my internship?
Owing to the nature of my work, I had to be in constant touch with three departments of ITC Limited. These were the Warehouse Staff, Head Office Warehouse team, and ITC Infotech Team. All these interactions had to be supplemented with presentations and discussions about my work. Thus, I could level up my Advanced PPT and Flowchart Creation skills in the process. I could also master the art of Time Management and Multitasking. Apart from that, I got practical exposure in the field of Warehouse Management, Transportation Management, Vendor Scouting and Development. What I gained was definitely more than what I had expected!
What is the work culture at ITC Limited?
To attend my internship at ITC Limited, I had to move to Kolkata. It was an enthralling experience. The place has some of the best monuments and nature parks to visit. The experience got even more enticing when I forged friendships with my fellow interns and roommates. I am a Keralite. So, I found many similarities in the climate, food, and literature of the two regions. Hence, the adjustment was not an issue.
Given a chance, I would definitely love to work with ITC Limited. The scope of learning, especially in the domain of Logistics and Supply Chain Management is huge in this organization. The icing on the cake is the young and dedicated workforce. It always keeps you in high spirits. As an organization, ITC Limited caters to my interests well and it would be a delight to be associated with such a reputed name.
What did I learn from my mentor during my internship?
My mentor acted as my support system during the course of my internship at ITC Limited. His immediate feedback was that I should concentrate on my presentation skills to enhance the visibility of my contribution to the project. Without my mentor, my experience wouldn't even be one percent of what it did turn out to be.
One thrilling experience was the unexpected terrific boat ride we had at Eco Park. So, the story goes something like this. I and my friends were on a paddleboat, enjoying the scenic beauty when suddenly, out of nowhere, water started pouring like anything inside the boat. Panicked, one of my friends slipped his mobile phone in the water. To add to our horror, the boat also stopped moving. We were stranded in the middle of the water. A lot of effort went in calling for help. Thankfully, after a whole lot of actual work, we could finally find our friend's lifeline-his mobile phone. We finally reached home without him losing his senses (pun intended)! Literally shivering at that moment, we had a good laugh about it afterward.