FIRST STEPS: The bridge of internship provides the real-life experience necessary for the transition between the classroom and the career place.

In today's era of liberalisation and economic growth, competition is becoming increasingly intense. It has become quintessential for students to have practical exposure while still in college. Employers are demanding more, and rank internships as an essential part of one's resume besides looking for good communication skills in a candidate.

Sure, one can get an excellent job opportunity without doing an internship, but the knowledge that one gains, will ensure a headstart over the others. Moreover, it helps one to 'test the waters' before plunging headlong into a career which may or may not be cut out for them.

From assisting a fashion designer to writing for a website or even learning the ropes in a corporation, no matter how big or small an opening, one can get an insider's view at a real-life job scenario. Universities and colleges have now made it compulsory for students to participate in internship programmes as part of their curriculum. "I had to do an internship in accountancy as it was mandatory. It really helped me in a huge way, and today I am happy with my chosen field," says Miheeka Jhaveri.

Affirms employee Lisa Ray, "Internship is a fantastic way of assisting your own career decisions. It allows you to have an extensive exposure and hands-on training."

Although college is an amazing place to learn self-reliance and independence, it is also a place which breeds procrastination. Therefore an internship is a great experience to hone those qualities and to discard the negatives. By working in an office-setting one can put to work all the knowledge one has learned in a classroom and improve on one's leadership skills.