My life has always been a mix of art, work, volunteering, and hobbies, a reflection of how I was raised to value diverse experiences, not just academics. The photo is a collage of last week.
However, when I attended graduate school at the University of Michigan, I faced a harsh reality: I had no internships or work experience. While my peers had worked in cafes, volunteered, or done 2–3 internships, I had none. My parents gave me opportunities, but we hadn’t focused on building a professional portfolio. And I now see this isn’t just my story, it’s the story of most students in India.
Emails I have been receiving this week from placement cells confirm it: only 20% of students get internships. That means 80% are left behind. By their third year, these students are desperate, messaging me on WhatsApp, hunting for any opportunity in response to ads for internships. But in a world where jobs are scarce, where peers have strong portfolios, and even AI agents are competing for roles, how do they stand out?
When I had nothing, I realised I just had to start. My first jobs were arranging books and manning a library desk. I volunteered on weekends and took on projects in my courses. I had to make up for years of lost time. I knew I had to catch up in 2 years, for students had done in 4-6 years of their lives. It is not easy now especially when the jobs are getting scarce, and besides these students who have a portfolio and use AI well, there are also AI agents that are competing for your jobs. One can’t wait for a perfect paid internship to begin building their story; you have to just start.
So, to all the placement cells emailing me asking for paid internships, I have a message: Your 20% will be okay. But what about the 80%? If you want to improve your overall numbers, stop looking only for paid internships. Look for nonprofits, small businesses, and opportunities for every student to build a profile, not just the top performers. Push your first years and those across years who don’t have a portfolio and are not getting internships. Tell them to build their profiles even in the semesters.
At VAll, we already have 100+ internships and projects. Sign up at vallindia.com and give your students the chance to start building now, because if they don’t, your placement numbers will still say only 20% placed, even if your highest package is ₹30 lakhs.
We need to stop focusing only on the highest salary and start focusing on the students left behind. Because true success isn't about the top performers; it's about everyone. The best riders are kept at the front and back because the front inspires everyone to go with them, and the back pushes those who are left behind. Either way, we leave no one behind.