IIT Madras Offers Six-Month Internship for BTech Students: Boost for Placement Prospects
Again a new initiative was launched by IIT Madras as it launched a new six-month internship program for B.Tech students to boost their chances of getting job offers before graduation and to give them more real-world industry experience. According to a report, this program will start with students joining in the 2024-25 academic year. Here’s how it works:
- Sixth Semester Changes: Students will not have required core courses in their sixth semester. Instead, they’ll have the option to complete elective courses earlier or later in their studies. This change gives them the freedom to focus on internships during this time.
- Longer Internship Period: While B.Tech students currently do summer internships that last about three months, both students and companies agree that longer internships (up to six months) would allow students to build stronger technical skills and soft skills, which are essential for their careers.
- Better Preparation for Jobs: Practical experience from longer internships will improve students’ resumes and help them understand workplace expectations better. This should increase their chances of getting solid job offers after graduation.
Flexibility for Students
Prathap Haridoss, Dean of Academic Courses at IIT Madras, explained that each department will now make sure there are no core courses in the sixth semester. Students will have the flexibility to take elective courses in earlier or later semesters to free up their sixth semester. They can then use the eight months from mid-November to July to do two shorter internships, and one long internship, or work on research projects at universities or labs.
This change is part of IIT Madras’ larger plan to improve its curriculum. The placement office and industry feedback have influenced this new approach, which aims to give students more relevant, hands-on learning opportunities.
Challenges and Benefits
Although the new structure gives great opportunities, it may be difficult for students in their second or fourth years to get full benefit from it, as they’ll need to plan carefully to adjust to the changes. Faculty members believe that the program will help students perform better in the job placement process.
Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean of Students at IIT Madras, explained her views that companies can now review the students more deeply and effectively during this six-month duration. With more pre-placement offers, students will likely face less competition in campus placements, making the transition to full-time employment smoother.
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