As the academic year comes to a close, students across Goa are seeking out internship opportunities to get hands-on work experience
NT KURIOCITY
With internships becoming a vital bridge between academic learning and real-world experience, many students are venturing out in search of opportunities across various sectors. Internships not only provide valuable hands-on experience but also offer a glimpse into the dynamics of professional environments, helping students develop essential skills, build networks, and gain insights into potential career paths. In a competitive job market, these internships often serve as critical stepping stones to full-time employment.
Goa’s thriving hospitality industry is among the fields which offer opportunities for growth. At Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, training and placement coordinator Sally Rodrigues works closely with local businesses in Goa to create internship opportunities for students. “These internships offer good stipends, excellent learning environments and real-world exposure,” says Rodrigues. “Through networking and consistent communication, I connect students with renowned hotels and restaurants, ensuring they gain hands-on experience. We also organise talks with industry chefs to provide insights and help students build lasting connections.”
Taksh Rajesh Bhandari, a student of the Verna-based Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, is one such student who benefitted from his internships at star hotels in Mumbai which taught him essential skills in kitchen operations and guest service.“These experiences, from mastering hygiene to creating memorable dining moments, have laid a strong foundation for my success in the industry,” he says.
Founder of Porvorim-based IT firm, Kilowott, Aaron Fernandez believes that internships serve as a crucial first step for young professionals by helping them develop problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills and teamwork, all of which are essential in a professional environment and for career building.
“At Kilowott, our internship programmes allow students to explore various areas of specialisation while working with technologies like AI, automation and digital transformation,” says Fernandez. “By partnering with top engineering colleges, we provide mentorship and real-world exposure, preparing interns to meet industry challenges and transition into successful full-time careers.»
Madiha Shaikh, an alumnus of Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao, is one example who secured an internship at Kilowott after completing her studies. Sharing her experience, she says, “I’ve enhanced my problem-solving skills, tackling challenges in performance optimisation, UI/UX and debugging. I’ve made significant progress in writing clean code and collaborating using tools like Git (Global Information Tracker).”
In the medical field, internships are exclusively offered at Goa Medical College, as only medical colleges are authorised to provide such early hands-on training. However at Healthway Hospitals, Old Goa, aspirants are offered observerships. These are short-term clinical experiences similar to an internship which are focused on observation without direct patient care.
“Observerships offer students a unique learning experience, focusing on communication skills and patient-centred care. Students work closely with consultants, learning to effectively communicate with patients and manage sensitive situations. They gain exposure to various medical specialties, observing diverse cases under the guidance of experienced consultants,” says physician at Healthway Hospitals, Old Goa Dr Chitralekha Nayak, adding that the experience equips students with both medical knowledge and essential soft skills.
