Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Once a time for relaxing after exams, summer vacations are increasingly about work for many college students who put their holidays to productive use by taking up internships. And media outlets are emerging as the first choice.

During these internships, which range anything from three weeks to three months, students get first- hand experience in their respective chosen field and get to make some money too.

There are opportunities galore - restaurants, retail stores, amusement parks, business houses, summer camps and so on. However, the most sought after jobs are in journalism, film and TV production, advertising, public relations, fashion and photography.

The past two decades has seen a proliferation of TV news channels and newspapers in India, and it is not journalism students alone who head here.

“Although most of the students of journalism go for internships in media houses, students from humanities background also go there for practical experience in journalism. In fact, these students are really doing a pretty good job in this field,” said Manasvini M. Yogi, an associate professor in Delhi University’s Indraprastha College.

According to Yogi, journalism as a career attracts many students. In Delhi University, journalism tops the list when it comes to internships.

“It is an amazing feeling to be in a newsroom as you develop a news sense. You learn basics when you get to intern in a media house,” said Anjali Sinha, a journalism student in the varsity.

Added 25-year-old Shikha Dimri, who is working with a Delhi-based publishing house: “It’s essential that you intern before joining any industry. The stint as an intern helps you understand the field you are about to enter. I interned with Indian Express which taught me many things.”

Besides journalism, students from various backgrounds also flock to advertising and public relations firms.

Sumit Saurabh, who is working with Adfactor PR Pvt Ltd, said the field was vast and there were many things for an intern to learn.

“We receive a lot of internship applications during summer. A person who has interned with a PR firm always has an edge when he enters the professional world. During internships, they get to work on their communication skills as they meet and interact with corporate honchos,” he said.

Ayush Srivastva agreed: “Before joining publc relations firm, I interned at many places which really helped me in the initial days of my career.”

The booming fashion industry is also a top favourite.

“India has emerged as a powerful fashion destination and the Indian youth is showing interest working with fashion designers,” Delhi-based fashion designer Sadan Pandey told IANS.

“Many students from fashion schools and various academic backgrounds assist fashion designers,” said Pandey.

Another sought-after field is film and TV production. With many media institutes introducing courses in the field, the students intern with production houses like Endemol, Balaji, Contiloe and Swastik Pictures.

“We get interns throughout the year, but their number increases during summer. During internships, they learn the tricks of post-production, handling cameras, casting creatively and many more things. This field is turning out to be lucrative and creative youth are showing interest in the field,” said Raj Kishore Swain, an associate creative director at Contiloe Entertainment.

(Gaurav Sharma can be contacted at gaurav.s@ians.in)