Internships: 'Networking requires hard work'

Times have changed, however, and the number has climbed to 33%.

Today, completing an internship is seen as a crucial step towards becoming a working professional. It improves your resume and helps you network with potential employers.

But how do you secure an internship? Where and how do you apply?

Karan Gupta, overseas education consultant, answered these questions and more during an August 2 chat.

For those of you who missed it, here's part one of the chat transcript:

Neha asked, I want to be interning for good company overseas. what the best method?

Karan Gupta answers, In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.

Disha asked, I am a Law student in Madhya Pradesh.. what are the internship options for me in US?

Karan Gupta answers, Same answer as given to Ravi. In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.

Tarnag asked, I am studying Masters in Electrical Engg and IT at Germany, how can I find PhD in US ?

Karan Gupta answers, You can visit www.usnews.com for a list of universities that offer a PhD programme in the US. You can even use Internet search engines to find information on universities. You will need the GRE and the TOEFL for admissions. You should also contact the professors before you apply to check if there are any PhD seats available.

vk asked, Hi Karan, I was thinking of doing an MBA from the US,( i am still in the initial stages of planning so dont know much), but from what information i've gathered from my friends, getting an internship is highly tough for mba institutes ...could you let me know your view on this? Thanks.

Karan Gupta answers, Internships are not easy and are never given to you on a silver platter. However, if you network well and use a proactive approach, your chances of getting an internship will increase. Read the article I posed on how to get internships while studying abroad.

asked, 

Karan Gupta answers, In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.

asked, 

Karan Gupta answers, Internships are not easy and are never given to you on a silver platter. However, if you network well and use a proactive approach, your chances of getting an internship will increase. Read the article I posed on how to get internships while studying abroad.

drprakashchandra asked, hiii karan,im doctor with MD in dermatology n ve experience in cosmetology field too,could u plz guide hw i can get into Europe or US apart from routine USMLE n PLAB.

Karan Gupta answers, If you are interested, you could apply for a Master's degree in Public Health or a health related discipline. For admissions you will need the GRE and the TOEFL. Apply to the universities at least one year prior to the year you want to go and study.

yogendra asked, hello sir, i m intrestd in pursuing MS (nanotechnology) in US. can u please tell me wat should i do to get intrenship?

Karan Gupta answers, Network with your alumni, faculty members, etc. and let everyone know that you are looking for an internship. The article I have written has many tips on how to get an internship.

Punga asked, Karan. What is the biggest advantage of internships? Is it true that companies consider it as experience?

Karan Gupta answers, Yes. When you graduate, the company that you did an internship with, will consider you for a full time job. Plus the internship will give you hands on experience as well.

asked, 

Karan Gupta answers, There are very few universities in Canada which offer a Master's degree in Travel and Tourism. The good universities in Canada are McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto and so on. Stay away from colleges which are not accredited or not recognized.

asked, 

Karan Gupta answers, Since you already have an MBA, you could consider a second MBA or an Executive MBA. An Executive MBA is for people with 8-10 years of work experience. Consider universities such as Columbia, Upenn and so on.

amithhh asked, HI Karan, I have done Mtech in Biomedical engg from IIT BOmbay, Can u guide me some univercity and procedure for nternship with fellowship?

Karan Gupta answers, First you should apply for a Master's degree or a PhD in the US. Once you are studying in the US, you would be in a better position to get an internship.

Disha atri asked, Hey what are the career options for Indian law graduates in US?

Karan Gupta answers, If you have done your LLM from the US, you will have a better chance of getting a job in the field of law in the US.

albert asked, can you help me find an internship for apparel and merchndizing in a progreesive and innovative place?

Karan Gupta answers, In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.

sameerce asked, Companies from which country are mostly offering internships to MBA students from Insead and IMD?

Karan Gupta answers, If you are studying at INSEAD, your internship will most likely be in France and if you are studying at IMD, your internships will be in Switzerland.

AbhishekG asked, Hi Karan pleasure to have you here. This question is for my sister who wants to pursue higher studies in field of Biotechnology. She is prepraing for GRE and Toffel and i m sure she score good marks in that. Please tell me where we can hope to get some good scholarship or intership during her MS(Biotechnology in US?? Please help in this regard.

Karan Gupta answers, Network with your alumni, faculty members, etc. and let everyone know that you are looking for an internship. The article I have written has many tips on how to get an internship.

tulika asked, i am doing BDS.and want to do mds from us. please tell me what i have to do

Karan Gupta answers, Contact dental schools and check their admission requirements. You will be required to take certain tests before you are eligible for admission. Keep in mind that admissions and visas for students going for Medicine and/or Dental studies is not easy.

manan asked, hi karan i m a final CA student frm mumbai.. i wish to work later in US/UK mostly interested in financial markets.how should i go abt

Karan Gupta answers, Your best bet would be to pursue an Msc in Finance or an MBA in Finance (if you have at least 3 years of full time work experience). After this course you would find it easier to get an internship and job in the US or the UK.

Shaurya asked, Hi Karan, I'm doing my Post grad Diploma in Business Management. My profile has no work-ex. I wanna know about the application procedure for internships and when should I start applying if I want to do them starting next summer?

Karan Gupta answers, In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.

sameerce asked, What are the average compensation available during internships in US and Europe?

Karan Gupta answers, Well, the compensation varies from city to city and company to company. A student can get paid as high as $5000 per month or the student may have to do an unpaid internship.

dv asked, My son is 9 yrs . how do i prepare him for his future. He is class 4th . what are the future options for him.

Karan Gupta answers, He is way too young to prepare him for anything related to study abroad. Just make sure he reads a lot. This will help him score better on the standardised test scores.

kala asked, I have impeccable marks, but i've never studied abraod. is it possible to get company in New york to sponsor my internship?

Karan Gupta answers, Yes, there is a chance. But companies generally do not prefer to employ people who live abroad for an internship.

pankil asked, I am wanting to work in US as software engineer. But I already started at Indian IIT. What should I do to make sure I get US job offer?

Karan Gupta answers, If you are interested in computers, I would recommend that you apply to US universities as an undergraduate transfer student. This would allow you to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. You can then apply for an internship/job.

rugved asked, hi karan gupta i am in now S.Y.BCOM i have changed my faculty from science to commerce my 11 & 12th std base was science & i have accepted commerce in graduate so i have intrest in it so what can i do?????/ pls suggest

Karan Gupta answers, You can work for a few years after you graduate and then eventually apply for an MBA abroad. Remember, business schools abroad need at least 3 years of full time work experience.

Senji asked,  What's best way to get admissions to top MBA progarm in America? DO I need tests like gmat, cat, etc.?

Karan Gupta answers, For admissions to an MBA programme, you will need the GMAT and the TOEFL. Unaccredited universities in the US may not need the GMAT for admissions. In the UK you will find more universities that accept students without the GMAT score. For example, look at American Intercontinental University in London.

enginee asked, I've been told no internships on my H4 visa? Is this true?
Karan Gupta answers, An internship can be pursued on an F-1 visa. Not H-4.

paul asked, Hi Karan watz best way to network in foreign county?

Karan Gupta answers, Networking is only merit and hardwork.

narendar asked, Hi Karan, I have finished B.pharmacy, can I get internship abroad, please guide me

Karan Gupta answers, In order to get internships abroad, you should ideally be studying abroad. In between your course abroad you will get options to pursue an internship. From India itself, getting an internship abroad will be very difficult.