Why school-level internships today are more important than ever
Gone are the days when good marks fared you through college. It might still be relevant for DU, where only marks open the doors of a good college. The picture is slightly different in the West, where universities like Cornell and Worcester prefer candidates who've undertaken an internship during school years. We decode why it's already time for schools to look into this direction.
Lack of exposure in school leads to rejected college applications
Going by the conventional way of mugging up, students may clear exams and score well but lack the much-needed edge and face rejections in university applications. They are expected to use bachelors as a think tank to pave way for their ultimate career option in masters. This leads to wasting another three years for students who aren't sure and opt for any given course.
Internships in schools: Bridging gaps between theoretical and practical knowledge
Exposure to an internship programme will provide students with valuable experience even before they graduate from school. This will help them make informed choices for undergraduate and further studies. It will also help them develop the confidence and skills that they would need when applying for opportunities in the future and strengthen their application while applying to various universities in India and abroad.
What can be done by schools to improve the situation?
There is absolutely no denying that school-level internships are indeed the need of the hour and will benefit students massively. Schools should introduce more career-oriented courses like Photography, Creative Writing, Journalism, Digital Marketing and also tie up with start-ups that can give students a chance to learn the real dynamics of the professional world by engaging them in projects and assess their performances.
Has any Indian school introduced internships in school curriculum?
Instead of loading kids with books, schools should encourage students to intern and discover their interests. This will help them get a clear picture of their career and also lets them work on their weaknesses. Shiv Nadar School (Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad), for example, introduced internships in the curriculum, giving students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at organizations, fusing theoretical with practical knowledge.
