STUDENT GUIDE

Complete Internship Guide for College Students 2026

November 15, 2025 12 min read

Internships are the golden bridge between college and career. They provide real-world experience, help you discover your interests, build your network, and often convert into full-time offers. Here's everything you need to know about landing great internships.

Internship Stipends in India 2026

Company Type Stipend/Month Duration
FAANG (Google, Microsoft) ₹80,000 - ₹1,50,000 8-12 weeks
Product Companies (Flipkart, Swiggy) ₹40,000 - ₹80,000 8-12 weeks
Good Startups (Funded) ₹15,000 - ₹50,000 2-6 months
Service Companies (TCS, Infosys) ₹10,000 - ₹25,000 4-8 weeks
Early-stage Startups ₹5,000 - ₹15,000 Flexible

When to Apply for Internships

Timeline by Year

  • 1st Year: Focus on skills, do small projects, participate in coding clubs
  • 2nd Year (Summer): Apply for startup internships, research internships
  • 3rd Year (Summer): Prime internship time - target the best companies
  • 4th Year: Pre-placement offers (PPOs) from final internship

Application Timeline

  • FAANG/Big Tech: Apply 6-8 months before (August-October for summer)
  • Product Companies: Apply 3-6 months before
  • Startups: Apply 1-3 months before
  • Rolling basis: Many startups hire year-round

Where to Find Internships

🌐 Internshala

India's largest internship platform. Best for startups and small companies.

Pro tip: Apply within first 24 hours of posting for best chances.

💼 LinkedIn

Best for company pages and networking. Follow companies you want to work for.

Pro tip: Use "Easy Apply" filter, connect with HR/recruiters.

🏢 Company Career Pages

Directly apply on Microsoft Garage, Google STEP, Amazon Future Engineer, etc.

Pro tip: Set job alerts for internship postings.

📧 Cold Emails

Reach out directly to startup founders or hiring managers.

Pro tip: Personalize each email, show what you can contribute.

👥 Referrals

Ask seniors, alumni, or LinkedIn connections working at target companies.

Pro tip: Referrals have 5x higher response rate.

How to Write a Winning Application

Resume Tips

  1. Keep it 1 page: You're a student, one page is enough
  2. Projects first: If no experience, highlight projects
  3. Quantify everything: "Built app with 500+ downloads" not "Built an app"
  4. Skills section: List relevant tech skills, be honest
  5. GitHub link: Essential for tech roles
  6. No school details: Remove 10th/12th grades, they don't matter

Cover Letter Tips

  1. Keep it short: 3-4 paragraphs max
  2. Show research: Mention why THIS company
  3. Be specific: "I want to work on your recommendation engine" not "I love your company"
  4. Include relevant work: Link to projects related to their work

💡 Cold Email Template

Subject: [Your College] Student - Internship Opportunity at [Company]

Hi [Name],

I'm a [year] student at [college], specializing in [field]. I've been following [Company] since [specific thing you admire].

I recently built [relevant project] using [technologies], which aligns with your work on [their product]. I'd love to contribute to [specific team/product] as an intern.

Here's my [GitHub/Portfolio]. Would you have 15 minutes for a quick call?

Best, [Your Name]

Acing the Interview

Technical Interviews

  • DSA: Practice LeetCode Easy-Medium problems
  • Projects: Be ready to explain your projects in depth
  • Basics: Know fundamentals of languages you've used
  • Think aloud: Explain your approach while coding

Behavioral Interviews

  • Prepare 3-4 stories about teamwork, challenges, learning
  • Use STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
  • Research the company and have thoughtful questions

During the Internship

How to Excel

  1. Be proactive: Ask for more work when done
  2. Ask questions: No one expects you to know everything
  3. Take notes: Document what you learn
  4. Communicate: Update your mentor regularly
  5. Network: Connect with full-time employees
  6. Be reliable: Meet deadlines, be on time

Getting a PPO (Pre-Placement Offer)

  1. Treat it like a 2-month interview
  2. Deliver measurable impact
  3. Build relationships across teams
  4. Express interest in returning
  5. Ask for feedback and act on it

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without preparation: Build skills first
  • Generic applications: Customize for each company
  • Applying too late: Start early, especially for big companies
  • Only looking at stipend: Learning matters more
  • Not following up: Politely follow up after 1-2 weeks
  • Poor LinkedIn profile: Update your profile before applying

Paid vs Unpaid Internships

General rule: Avoid unpaid internships at for-profit companies. However, consider unpaid if:

  • It's at a prestigious research lab (IITs, ISI, etc.)
  • The learning opportunity is exceptional
  • It's a non-profit/NGO you care about

Remember: Your time has value. Don't let companies exploit you for free labor.

Remote vs In-Office

  • In-office: Better networking, mentorship, and learning
  • Remote: Flexibility, no relocation needed
  • Recommendation: For your first internship, prefer in-office for the full experience

Internships are your chance to explore, learn, and build your career foundation. Apply widely, prepare well, and make the most of every opportunity. Your first job is just around the corner! 🎓