‘The opportunity came via the placement cell at Apeejay School of Management’

Gaining practical exposure early in one’s academic journey is crucial, and Navya Rajpal, a first-year student at Apeejay School of Management, Dwarka, Delhi, has done just that. She recently completed a marketing research internship at Marketing and Development Research Associates (MDRA). In this conversation, Navya shares her experience, challenges, and key takeaways from the internship.

Congratulations on securing this internship! How did you come across this opportunity?

Thank you! The opportunity came through the placement cell at Apeejay School of Management. They guided me through the selection process. First, I had an interview with my CRC teacher, followed by an interview with an MDRA representative. I was thrilled when I got selected!

What were your roles and key responsibilities during the internship?

My main role involved cold calling and onboarding clients. We were given a list of colleges, and our job was to ensure they participated in a survey for Best College Ranking. This required convincing them to register and complete the survey. We also did some research work for two days, which involved reaching out to entrepreneurs from different business segments to gather insights.

How did this internship contribute to your skill development?

It significantly improved my communication skills. Cold calling requires confidence, and after making multiple calls, I became much more comfortable talking to different people. I also learned how to convince clients, which is a crucial skill in marketing and sales. Additionally, it helped me enhance my fluency in English and overall professional communication.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?

The toughest part was getting people to agree to spend their time filling out surveys. Convincing someone to give you just seven minutes can be challenging! However, with practice, I learned how to engage them effectively. I managed to complete over 10 surveys in just two days, which felt like an achievement.

Would you recommend this internship to other students?

For a short-term learning experience and skill development, definitely! It gives you exposure to real-world corporate communication.

How has Apeejay School of Management helped in your professional growth?

The placement cell has been very supportive. I’ve applied to around 10-15 job descriptions (JDs) so far, and with each interview, I feel more confident. The training and exposure here are preparing me well for the corporate world.