What I learnt during my internship at Tata Steel -By Rohit Acharya from IMT Nagpur

My internship at TATA STEEL was nothing less than a dream come true for me in every aspect. It is one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world that is known for its values, employee friendliness, and best customer experience. Their coveted summer internship program called ‘Prashikshan’ is one of the most structured internship programs in the country and sought after by all B-Schools. Here is an account of my internship journey.

“Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going because a straight line even in an E.C.G means we are not alive.” – Ratan Tata

These words precisely explain the current scenario the whole world is in. My search for a summer internship started when my initial internship got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are unfortunate times for the entire world and becoming a part of an organization that cares about its employees is truly a blessing.

Embarking on an internship journey with a cohesive induction 

While I was searching for an internship, I got to know about TATA STEEL because of its vibrant digital presence. We started the induction program and in the first session, we played a game which was an ice-breaker for us. This game made me familiar with the team members and also augmented my confidence, which was highly comforting. Initially, we were made aware of the ground rules that needed to be followed. 

After the induction, we were given information about the functions and categories at Tata Pravesh, one of the sub retail brands of TATA STEEL that deals in doors and windows. We were then introduced to our mentor/project guide, who has been very humble and generous throughout. Thereupon we were allotted a team project, of which I was made the leader, with added responsibilities coming my way. The entire team was very welcoming, thus justifying the core values of TATA as a group which has helped each one of us follow a streamlined approach for smooth working and communication.

Company’s culture, value and ethics makes a huge difference

This one month of my work at TATA STEEL has made me understand the significance of company culture, and when it comes to treating employees like family, it can’t be done more gracefully by any other brand but TATA. It is easy for me to reach out to the senior officials. We conduct regular interactions with senior members of Tata Steel, wherein we were asked about the progress or problems, if any, related to our personal and professional lives. 

Twice a week, our team conducts a call so that we can keep everything with pace, ensuring the quality. We as a team are currently working on tasks related to diversified fields like operations, market research, etc. So this, in a way, is also giving us exposure to a myriad of fields, helping us in getting hands-on experience with real-life scenarios.

Overcoming challenges and keeping the learning mode on

The chapter of learning has been of prime importance, which I have also focused on while doing an internship at TATA STEEL. Initially, I as an individual sometimes had this conundrum surrounding me and questioning me whether the efforts that I am putting, are in the right direction or not. But as I progressed with work, within a day or two, everything started falling in place and became better with time. These experiences have made me more diligent and stronger. Having such thoughts is completely normal and I think everyone might be facing this dilemma of, whether I am doing enough!

Being at the office/workplace provides you with an environment, wherein you can concentrate on your work without thinking of any other thing. But creating such an environment at home is a challenge that everybody is facing. To overcome this challenge, I created an office-like atmosphere at my place, by rearranging my seating area and also made sure that I religiously followed my well-formulated daily schedule. My secret to combat mid-day sleep is a cup of tea, at times.

Such times not only test your educational skills, but they also test your soft skills. My friends and colleagues suggested that I learn new skills or pursue different certifications, which are really appreciable. But, in my opinion, it is more important, to retain the skills that one has learned and come out of this situation with a positive mindset and a healthy physique.

A small token of gratitude

I am really thankful to my mentor at TATA STEEL who believed in me and gave me an opportunity to become a part of this prestigious organization. Irayo! In the end, I would like to sum it up with some words dedicated to TATA STEEL,

Some companies are giants, many succeed in their businesses by making huge profits, a small bunch of them are innovative but only a few qualify for all of it and much more – ‘A Bequest’