Summer Internship Experience 2021 - Freudenberg Gala Household Products - Ayush Garg, NITIE Mumbai

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Hi, Tell us about how you got selected for this internship? Take us through the moment you realized you had got the internship.

The internship selection process started with filling the intent to become eligible for consideration in the process.

Then a shortlist was released by FGHP. All candidates sat for a group discussion first followed by personal interview. Interview took place in 2 rounds in immediate sequence.

When the process got over, the result was announced on the same day itself. I got to know about my selection when I received phone call from placement committee member. And this is how I got this opportunity.

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On joining the company as an intern, how has your onboarding experience been like?

The onboarding process was very smooth and enjoyable. I was already very much excited about the 1st day of internship when we were communicated that entire leadership team is coming to welcome us during the induction session.

The day started with introduction of all industry stalwarts as well as all interns. Then we played a bulls eye as part of ice-breaking session where everybody has to give answer about the random question popping up on screen. It was a fun filled event.

Then after the lunch, each department at FGHP gave their presentation and explained about the company's business and work of that department. The entire day went very well learning about the company, it's values, expectations from us and how we can contribute in the development of organization.

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How has your interaction with the team members and colleagues been like? How will you make sure to leave the best impression on your supervisors by the end of the internship?

Interaction with entire team, colleagues and stakeholders has been great so far. I got worried just before the starting of the internship since it got changed to online mode.

Considering my project work where talking with a lot of people is required, I felt there would be a lot of problems in communicating with them. But people here are very much co-operative and open to new thoughts given by interns. I talked with a lot of stakeholders, company employees of different departments asking about some data and everybody helped in solving my queries and giving all data that is required.

To ensure a lasting remark, I'll complete my work and goals within stipulated time and with the best of my capabilities. I'll talk with people in resolving issues, do my proper research, work on my project in complete detail. I'll do my best and work with utmost sincerity.

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Tell us in brief, about the project you are currently working on and how is this project going to help the company? 

My project is based on downstream supply chain network planning and warehouse identification.

The project includes carrying out As-Is analysis of current distribution network first and then based on the demand & their locations, suggesting the updated network by minimizing the transportation costs. It includes finding out the possible locations of warehouses that FGHP needs to open and then redesigning the distribution network.

It will help the company in finding the probable locations of warehouses where they can arrange the local suppliers. It will also help the company in ensuring that full demand is catered to all the places after achieving the company's growth target.

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Are You The Best Summer Intern Of The Class Of 2022? Share Your Own Internship Experience.

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Give us an overview of how you prepared for your summer placement season.

The preparation of summers started from the very first day entering into NITIE.

Seniors started taking grooming sessions every day till the starting of summers. It includes preparation of all kinds of assessment. Everyday we underwent group discussion or extempore or discussing interview questions. Many tasks were given to us by seniors regarding preparation which were mandatory for everyone to do.

I started with reading a good business newspaper daily and improving my public speaking skills. Also I read technical topics, prepared my CV and refined my introduction. Gave many interviews to seniors and corrected my mistakes. Also did a course on basic supply chain on konversations.com. Overall, I prepared for all types of recruitment ways.

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Based on your internship experience till now, what are some necessary skill sets one must be prepared with before starting an internship? 

The basic skill sets required are:-

1. Prepare a schedule and stick to it
2. Learn how to make good presentations and art of delivering
3. Basic and intermediate MS Excel
4. Awareness about the industry of that company
5. New technologies and trends in that industry with benchmarks
6. Basic domain knowledge of the role

Having these skills will help you immensely during your two months at internship. If you already know the basic software and have a general industry understanding then you can explore more about the project rather than learning these skills during that time. Having a strong networking skills is also must which will help you in learning from different people.

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What are some new skills that you have developed while working in the company?

1. Using Machine Learning (ML) tools practically with huge data
2. Basic Excel VBA programming
3. Development of simulation tool in MS Excel
4. Knowledge of FMCD company distribution network
5. Basics of logistics industry
6. Stakeholder management
7. Presentation and delivery skills

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What are some of the challenges that you have faced in your internship and how have you overcome them?

There were a lot of challenges due to the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 in India and also due to the virtual mode of the internship. But in these times, my parents & friends helped me in overcoming those. Some of the challenges are:-

1. Physical and emotional impact due to pandemic - During the second week of the internship when I was trying to understand more about the project, my father contracted COVID. It was very difficult to work while getting the news of close relatives contracting COVID. Family & friends helped me in supporting through these times.
2. Getting the data related to the project - After performing the literature survey, the next task was to get the required data and perform analysis. But the biggest challenge in the project was how to convert raw data into a usable form. For new warehouses, how and what to assume the freight costs. These challenges were solved after a lot of brainstorming with company employees, college professors, and alums working in the same domain.
3. Contacting & meeting stakeholders - Some people have taken leave due to the pandemic which has caused more work load on the remaining employees. Hence, scheduling the meetings to clear the queries was not an easy task. I solved this problem by preparing questions and asking them in one go so to not disturb them again and again. Induction session with all the departments also helped me in getting to know about the people.
4. Learning required software for project - My project includes data visualization in a software and preparation of simulation model in MS Excel. Both things were new for me. I learned both tools from online courses and applied in my project.

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Tell us about a situation where you were complemented by your Manager for your work. 

Just after the final review of project in front of the leadership team, my manager called me and complemented me for doing the excellent work in getting the insights and giving the recommendations for FGHP. He gave honest feedback and praised with respect to the technical approach adopted, simulations run, dedication shown and quality of work even after loosing 15 days (I took leave as my father contracted COVID). I still remember the moment when COO told my project findings as the best he had seen about such a complex project that too was done in very less time. That was the moment which I still cherish because it gives me confidence and boost my moral for upcoming challenges. It reminds me that if we have the determination and zeal then results will definitely be good.

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What have been your major learnings during the internship? 

Technical learnings:-

1. Working on a project on different areas of the supply chain has given me an immense opportunity to learn the all-around working of the supply chain at FGHP
2. The overall picture of the cost implications in each of the operational decisions in the distribution area
3. The Basics of Mixed Integer Programming
4. Understanding of different costs involved at different levels of supply chain
5. Possible improvement areas in distribution and warehousing
6. Applying machine learning tools in actual problems
7. Using Tableau - data visualization software

Non-technical learnings:-

1. Performing literature survey and generating ideas
2. Breaking the problem into some parts and then solving one by one
3. Preparing the schedule and sticking to it
4. Communication etiquettes in corporate

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Tell us about your final presentation of the project to your manager in brief. What was the toughest question asked during the presentation and how did you answer it?

The final presentation went very well and leadership complimented my work and its findings. The COO sir told that he has not seen anybody completing project with such in-depth analysis in such a small amount of time and that too by an intern.

My presentation lasted about 50 minutes where following tough questions were asked and my answers:-

1. Till when the concept of centralized warehouse can be used - When I gave the result that the best strategy for lowest transportation cost is having a centralized warehouse, it was asked to me that till when we can use this concept and also asked if this concept is used by any company or not. I answered this question considering our suppliers in west region and gave a number (in terms of gross sales) till when this concept can be used. After that we also need to explore suppliers in other regions as well to open new warehouses.
2. Explaining the constraints used in mixed integer programming - This was the biggest crux part in my Excel model. Putting the constraints mathematically which are applicable for FGHP's business was not an easy task. It took some days to brainstorm and then finally giving commands to Excel. I explained them with the help of Excel file during the presentation.
   

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Some advice that you would like to give to your juniors based on your internship experience.

1. Understand clearly, clearly and clearly about your project - Its scope, deliverables and advantages
2. Make a habit of reading books/research papers - It will help you in idea generation for the project
3. Networking is the key - After getting the project, contact with your alums/seniors who have done the projects on similar lines. It will help in getting ideas which you can also incorporate in your project.
4. Learn basic softwares before commencement of internship - MS Excel, PowerPoint, Data visualization tool etc
5. Give update to your project guide/mentor daily after that day's plan of action and build a strong relationship with him.
6. Reach out and ask with as many people as possible to know more insights about the business, project and the industry. It will give you broader understanding about how business decisions are taken and its implications.
7. Learn basic finance about the business - When you do any project, evaluate your work that how the project can be useful for the company in terms of revenue generation. It will help you to take better decisions.
8. Focus on learning & gaining experience and not on PPO

What was one of the best moments according to you during your internship?

The best moments for me during the course of internship were the late night meetings with my project guide. Throughout the day, we had only small discussion about any point when I would stuck anywhere, but for last 20 days we interacted almost daily at night from 11PM to 1 or 2AM. We would discuss on many things like the project, books, series, concepts of supply chain and many more. He told his learnings of pursuing MS from Germany and also shared his work experiences in different domains and different companies. We would also discuss many concepts of supply chain/marketing/sales and observe that how companies are taking creative steps. We would ponder on the results generated from the Excel model that I prepared and he having a strong analytical mind would give me new possible combinations to work on. I've also learned about the areas where I need to work more and how to ready for the upcoming corporate journey. Hence,these interactions with my project guide and other people were the best moments during the course of two months.

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