Where internships come from
Routes to a software internship
| Route | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Campus placements and your college's career cell | Larger companies that visit campuses | Fixed dates and eligibility rules, so check them early |
| Company careers pages | Any company you want to work at | Roles are often filled before you see them, so apply early |
| Job boards such as LinkedIn, Internshala and Wellfound | Startups and mid-sized companies | Fake or low-quality listings, so check every company |
| Open-source programmes and hackathons | Building proof of work and contacts | They have their own application windows |
| Direct outreach to teams | Small companies that don't post | It takes research and persistence, so aim for quality |
Writing to startups directly
Many startups hire interns without posting a role. Find the founder or the engineering lead, use the product, and send a short message with something you've built. The steps are in how to cold email a recruiter and how to cold email a startup founder. Use real contacts, not guessed ones.
Warning signs of a fake internship
- You're asked to pay. A registration fee, a training fee or a kit. Legitimate employers don't charge candidates for an internship.
- The conversation is only on WhatsApp or Telegram, with no company email or video call.
- The offer comes from a free email address such as Gmail, or from a domain that doesn't match the company's website.
- There's no real company page. No website, a brand-new one, or one that doesn't mention the role.
- You're rushed. "Accept in two hours" is a pressure tactic.
- They want sensitive documents early, such as bank details or ID copies, before a written offer.
- Guaranteed placement, or a certificate for a fee. A course is not an internship.
How to check an offer
- Find the company's own website, and confirm the role is on its careers page or that someone there can confirm it.
- Check that the email domain matches the website.
- Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn, and see whether they work at the company.
- Ask for a written offer on the company's letterhead or email before you share personal documents.
- Ask a senior student, a teacher or the college career cell if you're unsure.
Ask about the terms early
Ask about the stipend, the duration, the working hours, the mentor and whether it can lead to a full-time offer. A legitimate employer answers these plainly. Vague answers are a signal to be careful.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it normal to pay for an internship?
- No. Legitimate employers don't charge candidates for an internship. A paid training programme or course is a different thing from an internship, so don't confuse them.
- Can I get an internship without campus placements?
- Yes. Apply through company careers pages and job boards, and write directly to startups and teams that don't advertise. Strong projects help a lot.
- Are unpaid internships okay?
- Some are legitimate, especially at early-stage startups, but ask about the terms, keep the scope clear, and be careful if the work looks like free labour with no learning or mentoring.
- How do I know if a company is real?
- Check its website, its careers page, the recruiter's LinkedIn profile and whether the email domain matches. If you can't confirm it, don't share personal documents or money.