As my winter vacation was approaching, I decided to go the extra mile and do something that would add on to my resume. I had been preparing for CAT and wanted to take up something that could prove beneficial for me going forward. After hours of skimming through various websites, I found nothing that suited my purpose. A few days later, I received an email from Internshala reiterating that they’re providing online trainings at reasonable costs. Even though I was skeptical to find anything worthwhile, I checked out their trainings and voila, I found something rather intriguing – the Business Communication Skills training. I went through its content and concluded that it provided everything a beginner could ask for to turn into a veteran.
My four-week training started from scratch and handheld me through the initial yet crucial phase of learning. The well-structured and well-oriented training traversed me from the basics of communication to essential communication skills. I learnt the art of asking relevant questions and listening to the answers actively. I also learnt how to use body language effectively to improve my presentation skills. Apart from this, the training helped me understand the tricks to write persuasively and to make a write-up more attractive, along with the art of speaking fluently and to the point. The training was quite engaging and practice-oriented. I got my hands dirty on a lot of assignments and quizzes and worked on a project which comprised of questions around everything I had learnt during this training. I analyzed errors in writing emails, cover letters, and resumes and applied analytical skills to answer the questionnaire.
I also got a placement preparation package which included guides on making an effective resume and acing an interview. Internshala also took care of the tragic experience of getting stuck at something and spending hours looking for the correct answer on the web with its live chat support and Q&A forum. That way I could quickly clear my doubts and move ahead. I hadn’t expected the course to be so interactive and effective but to my surprise, not only did I learn to write effective emails to my college authorities but also improved my oral communication skills to a point that my peers could easily notice the difference.
It further helped me in getting an internship at the Centre of Advanced Research and Technology, which is an integral part of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). For the first round of selection, I had to write an essay on one of the given topics. I knew how to make effective use of words to capture the reader’s attention and thus cleared this round. Next up was an interview, and for the first time ever, I was confident enough to crack it. The interview essentials that I had learnt during the training helped me stand out in the interview. The interviewer asked me to describe a situation where I had worked under pressure; I replied confidently, structuring my response with the SOAR method. I was also asked about my strengths and weaknesses. I replied to these questions fluently, and I was hired! Currently, I am interning under the guidance of a Ph.D. scholar, and my job involves structuring his research papers in a compact manner. I have to make these documents presentable. All along this internship, I have had the chance to learn various things related to my field of study as well.
Apart from getting me an internship, this training helped me overcome my fear of public speaking. I had always been a victim of glossophobia due to which I was hesitant to participate in any sort of discussions or debates. Despite the desperation to participate, I would back out from any debates held at my university because my fear would overpower my will. Once I completed the training, I could sense a stark improvement in myself. I took part in a debate competition held during the Hall Fest of AMU. Fear kept sweeping in but I gathered my courage and went on to deliver a powerful argument. Although I didn’t win the debate, I won the battle with the phobia within. I cannot thank Internshala enough for this life-changing experience.
About the Author: Wasif Dilshad, a student of Aligarh Muslim University, shares how an online training helped him secure an internship and gave him the confidence to get over his fear of public speaking. This article was first published on Internshala.