Oh, the past two months were the best I've ever had in my life! After four years of professional experience, going to school and being active in the classroom seemed to require a lot of effort, which is why I used to count down the days until summer break. It was the ideal method for bridging the gap between the world of academia and the world of professional life. Having said that, the following is my experience with the RPG Group Company, Zensar:
When I go back to the Summer Internship Process that was taking place on campus, I can clearly remember 10-15 organizations arriving each day and signing off on a few of the students from the process, and I recall impatiently waiting for my turn to arrive so that I could finish the process. I wanted to give the impression that I was the ideal candidate, but after a series of setbacks, my perceptions were slowly fading away. As a result, by the time RPG rolled around, I had already given up hope, and I simply chose to act in a manner that was authentic to me without regard to the outcomes. And guess what? That got me selected.
Moving forward in time to April of 2023, from the moment we started our internship, RPG took the initiative to put together all of our travel plans and checked in with us on a regular basis to make sure that we were satisfied with the travel and lodging arrangements. During the pre-meeting that I had with my team, I was presented with three different project options, and I was assigned the one that I had selected. It was a humbling experience for me because none of my friends had this opportunity.
My co-worker and I were the only interns assigned to Hyderabad under the supervision of our common manager, Raghunandana Palle, who turned out to be a really engaging person, which contributed to the fact that my two-month experience was a very memorable one. He brought me in alignment with the project goal and made certain that I received the resources on time. The several brainstorming sessions that we went through fundamentally altered the way that I used to approach problems. In addition to working on our projects, we often engaged in conversations about films and the state of the world today. The fact that my suggestions were considered, made me feel like my contributions were worthwhile to the organization, was the aspect that I appreciated the most. He helped me improve my articulation abilities and shared Zensar’s culture with me at the same time.
Collaborating with the senior managers and executives of the organization, I learned to navigate the complexities of the workplace, adapt to the organization’s culture, and hone my communication and teamwork skills. Their expertise and wisdom became the bedrock of my professional development. Regular feedback sessions allowed me to identify my strengths and areas for improvement, empowering me to enhance my skill set and strive for excellence.
No internship is without its fair share of challenges. Whether it was tackling complex projects, meeting tight deadlines, or adapting to unexpected circumstances, every obstacle presented an opportunity for growth. While the pressure was palpable, I embraced each challenge with determination and resilience. I can definitely say that I was transformed both personally and professionally. Zensar entailed in me a strong feedback mechanism and multiple iterations were being performed before a deliverable. These experiences not only enhanced my problem-solving abilities but also cultivated a sense of perseverance and self-belief that will continue to shape my future endeavours.
My internship provided a unique glimpse into the inner workings of the IT consulting industry. From attending meetings and presentations to shadowing professionals in their roles, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s dynamics and the intricacies of various departments. This exposure broadened my perspective, allowing me to make informed decisions about my career path and solidifying my commitment to pursuing my chosen field of product management
Though I was not a part of The Excalibur, which is the award for the best summer intern project, it was mesmerizing to see the tremendous job done by the selected interns, and gained a lot of insights from that day. The networking dinners hosted by RPG were truly mind-blowing and a platform to connect with the other members of the organization and learn about their life experiences which makes me miss those days even more.
What differentiates RPG from other organizations is its love for its people. Over the course of time, their Happiness Index has climbed all the way up to 84%. Everyone in the organization is just one text away if you need them.
Along the road of my professional development, one of my primary goals is to develop the multitasking prowess of upper management, which enables them to oversee multiple projects at once. Everyone at Zensar works really hard to be updated and ahead of its competitors. Through the weekly newsletters shared by the ‘My RPG’ working group during International Mother’s Week, I was inspired by the women’s stories who have been tackling their professional and personal life gracefully and that gave me strength and motivation to keep going and fighting every obstacle on the way.
My summer internship experience at RPG was truly transformative, opening doors to a world of possibilities and providing invaluable lessons for personal and professional growth. From the search and selection process to embracing responsibilities, overcoming challenges, and building relationships, every aspect of the internship contributed to my development. The experience not only reinforced my passion for working at Zensar but also instilled in me a sense of purpose and confidence as I embark on my future career. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity and look forward to leveraging the skills and knowledge gained.
In the days to come, I strive to work on my manager's advice and watch his recommended films and YouTube channels!