Do you want to do a summer internship at IISc but don’t know how to start? IISc Bangalore is India’s best institute for science and is highly reputed among science and research organisations worldwide. Getting admission to IISc is a dream of many, and we have discussed this in our previous blogs. In this blog, we will discuss how you can get an internship at IISc.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- How important is an internship at IISc?
- Internship opportunities at IISc
- How do I get an internship at IISc?
- Importance of Scientific Writing Skills
How Important Is An Internship At IISc?
IISc is known for its world-class faculty, research and infrastructure. The tag of IISc, along with experience and exposure, is unparalleled. If you get such facilities temporarily, i.e. as an intern, you can enhance your skills and expose yourself to enormous opportunities. You can interact with the bright minds of our nation, students, and professors. Also, this will make your CV much more valuable.
Doing an internship at IISc can also help you get better MS thesis and PhD positions in India and abroad.
Internship Opportunities at IISc:
There are two types of internships provided by IISc: Short term and Long term.
Short Term Internships-
Short-term internships are usually of 2-3 months and are offered during summer. Senior Research Fellowship Program (SRFP) by the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS) is one of the best ways to secure a short-term fellowship at IISc. SRFP is a prestigious fellowship that provides definite projects, certificates and a particular amount of stipend (Rs. 5-12 thousand per month) to the selected students.
There are departmental internships like the Narendra Summer Internship by the Department of Computer Science and Automation, the summer programs by the Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering (CeNSE), and the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, which list their internship openings on their respective websites. However, you may not get a stipend or accommodation as compared to that in SRFP.
Long Term Internships-
Long-term internships are usually of 6 to 12 months. It is usually the thesis project that you need to do during your final year in MSc or BSMS. It can also be an independent project meant to enhance your skills and give you experience.
How Do I Get An Internship At IISc?
There are many ways to get an internship at IISc. Some of these are shared below:
- Apply through SRFP programs. Every year, the online application process starts around October and lasts till November. You need to have grades more than a threshold and procure a Letter of Recommendation before applying. Other documents required are mark sheets for classes 10th and 12th.
- You must have good contacts with your professors or your institute’s HOD so they can give you a valuable recommendation letter.
- Check interested departments’ websites and notifications of internship opportunities regularly. Departments like CeNSE release notifications for their internship programs on their official websites, and you need to apply there. Different departments require different documents and eligibility conditions.
- You can cold mail professors and ask for any project during your summer breaks. Many students intern by doing a project under any professor at IISc. To get such a project, you need to draft a compelling email stating your research and interests and attach a CV along with it. However, professors often don’t reply to emails and are so busy with their own work that they don’t provide any internships.
- Check out our blogs on internships to know more about them.
Importance of Scientific Writing Skills:
Good communication skills in science are important as you frequently communicate and present your work to others. It is even more important to have good writing skills. Your emails are important only if they are in a specific format and look appealing to the readers. The same goes for other documents like articles, reports, etc. Well-formatted CVs and emails increase your chances of getting an internship at IISc and other top research institutes. With this as an aim, we offer a scientific writing workshop where we provide top advice and techniques for scientific writing by the experts. It will surely help you get your favourite projects as an internship. Check out more details from here.
Conclusion:
IISc is a prestigious institute, and getting an internship there is equally prestigious and rewarding. Some internships are paid while others are not, but the exposure and experience one gets through them is totally worth it. You just need to get a good letter of recommendation, have good grades and consistently check their website for the application details. Also, don’t get disheartened if professors don’t reply to your emails. You just need to improve your mail qualification and mail at least 50 professors to get some positive replies.
Check out this blog if you want to know more about paid internship opportunities in India and abroad.
FAQs:
Ques: What are the requirements for applying to SRFP programs?
Ans: Applicants typically must meet grade thresholds (greater than 8 CGPA), procure a Letter of Recommendation, and submit relevant academic documents.
Ques: How can I increase my chances of securing an internship at IISc?
Ans: Build good relationships with professors or Heads of Departments for valuable recommendation letters. Regularly check department websites for internship notifications and consider cold-emailing professors expressing interest in their research projects.
Ques: What should I do if professors do not reply to my emails for internships?
Ans: Keep improving the quality of your emails and continue reaching out to multiple professors. Persistence is key; it may take emailing several professors before receiving positive responses.
Ques:Are all internships at IISc paid?
Ans: No, while some internships offer stipends, others may not provide financial compensation. However, the experience gained is highly valuable regardless of payment.
Ques: How can I prepare a compelling email to professors for internship opportunities?
Ans: The blog suggests drafting emails clearly stating your research interests, attaching a CV, and demonstrating enthusiasm for their work. Check out this blog to learn how to write compelling emails to the professors.
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We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI,ISI IISC Bangalore, etc teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
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