Madras University Summer Internship 2020

Okay, let's talk summer internships. Remember 2020? The year of, well, everything?

Specifically, let’s reminisce about the Madras University Summer Internship 2020. Did anyone actually do one?

The Great Internship Mirage

My unpopular opinion? A lot of them probably involved more Netflix than networking. Don't @ me!

I'm just saying, between pandemic-induced existential dread and trying to figure out Zoom, adding a "meaningful internship experience" to the mix sounds ambitious. Very, very ambitious.

Suddenly, applying for an internship from the comfort of your pajamas felt like a win. Right?

Online? More Like On-Your-Couch

Suddenly, the Madras University name, usually synonymous with serious academics, became associated with… more screen time.

The description said “gain valuable skills.” My brain translated that to "gain valuable knowledge of obscure YouTube channels."

Let's be honest. Who wasn't multi-tasking? I bet there were folks building impressive PowerPoint presentations while simultaneously mastering TikTok dances.

The recruiters were on to us. They were young once too, right?

The "Project" Reality

Remember those projects? The ones designed to showcase your brilliance?

Mine involved analyzing data. Which meant spending hours staring at spreadsheets, wondering if the numbers were even real. Did any of us fully understand what we were doing?

I'm convinced half the projects were just elaborate ways to make us feel busy. Like digital busywork.

Presentation Panic!

Then came the presentations. The moment of truth.

Trying to look like you knew everything about your project, when really you were winging it. Peak performance anxiety!

Bonus points if your internet cut out mid-sentence. Because that definitely didn't happen to me. Nope. Not at all.

Networking...From a Distance

Networking was a key component. Except “networking” meant staring blankly at a screen full of faces during a virtual meet-and-greet.

Trying to come up with intelligent questions on the spot. While simultaneously fighting the urge to mute yourself and binge-watch something less educational. "So, what are your thoughts on…synergy?"

My most successful networking tactic involved accidentally unmuting myself and complimenting someone's cat. Surprisingly effective.

"Did we actually learn anything? Or did we just become experts at looking busy online?"

That's the question I asked myself daily back in the summer of 2020 during my Madras University escapade.

The Certificate Ceremony

The grand finale: the certificate ceremony. Another Zoom meeting.

Everyone politely clapping (virtually, of course). Smiling and nodding.

We got a digital certificate, which is safely stored somewhere on my hard drive, never to be seen again. Probably next to my high school diploma.

The Unspoken Truth

Look, I'm not saying the Madras University Summer Internship 2020 was a complete waste of time.

But let's be real. It was…unique. A unique experience in a uniquely chaotic time.

Maybe the real lesson wasn't about data analysis or project management. Maybe it was about resilience.

A Nod to the Survivors

We survived. We adapted. We learned how to pretend we knew what we were doing on Zoom.

And hey, maybe we even learned a little something along the way. Hidden beneath the layers of anxiety and virtual awkwardness.

So, to everyone who "interned" that summer: we salute you. You are warriors. Now, where's the Netflix?

Let's face it: 2020 was just weird. It was a strange time to navigate life.

But hey, at least we have some stories. Some slightly embarrassing, slightly hilarious stories to tell.