ITC Supply Chain KITES Intern
I am Ashok Nayak, currently in my fourth year (after second year when I did the internship). In my second year summers I interned at ITC as a Supply Chain Intern through their KITES program. This article gives an overview of how I got this internship and my experience during those two months.
About the Internship:
Company: ITC
Role: Supply Chain Intern (KITES Intern)
Duration: 2 months (May - July 2025)
Mode: On-site
Company Type: MNC
How I Got the Opportunity:
I secured this opportunity through the placement cell - one of the structured recruitment processes available to IIT students.
Selection Process:
- Resume screening
- Technical test
- Group discussions (2 rounds)
- Final interview
Preparation:
Approach: Nothing in particular - relied primarily on existing knowledge and coursework understanding.
Previous Experience That Helped:
- Coursework from mechanical engineering subjects
- Foundation knowledge from academic projects
Primary Responsibilities:
Project Focus: Data Analysis for Supply Chain Optimization
Key Activities:
- Data/Sample Collection - Independent field data gathering
- Data Analysis using Excel - Primary analytical tool
- Pareto Analysis - Identifying key factors contributing to problems
- Pivot Tables - Data summarization and insights
- Various analytical methods for comprehensive data interpretation
Skills Developed:
- Independent data collection methodologies
- Advanced Excel analytics techniques
- Statistical analysis and interpretation
Work Culture & Experience:
Work Environment:
- Excellent work culture with supportive atmosphere
- Strong mentor interaction - Daily 10-minute discussions with project guide or buddy
- Regular progress tracking and guidance
- Supportive guidance during challenging phases
Mentorship Quality:
- Daily check-ins with project guide or buddy
- Problem-solving support when stuck
- Conclusion-drawing guidance from observations
- Consistent availability of mentors
Key Learnings:
Technical Skills:
- Industry-level problem-solving approach from scratch
- Data-driven decision making processes
- Valuable observations and conclusions from collected data
- Real engineering problem-solving methodologies
Soft Skills:
- Collaboration with diverse team members
- Communication skills development
- Interpersonal skills enhancement
- Professional workplace interaction
Critical Engineering Insight: Learning how to approach complex industry problems systematically and draw meaningful conclusions from data analysis - essential skills for any good engineer.
Career Impact:
Important Realization: While the company culture and compensation were excellent, I never felt satisfied with the work I was doing.
Career Clarity: This experience helped me:
- Understand what type of work I don’t prefer
- Think critically about what line of work genuinely interests me
- Make informed decisions about future career direction
Valuable Learning: Sometimes discovering what you don’t enjoy is as important as finding what you love.
Recommendations for Juniors:
Primary Sources for Second Year Internships:
- Referrals from seniors or relatives - Main source
- LinkedIn searches (especially startups)
- Company websites - Direct applications
- Placement cell opportunities - Structured programs
Advice for First-Time Interns:
Application Phase:
- Prepare excellent resume - First impression matters
- Tailor resume specifically to each firm (separate versions for tech, finance, etc.)
- Understand the luck factor - Internship selection involves chance
- Focus on controllable factors:
- Building relevant skills
- Networking with industry people
- Interview preparation
Mindset:
- Don’t be discouraged by rejections
- Focus on improvement with each application
- Seek feedback whenever possible
- Stay consistent in efforts
Common Misconceptions:
Reality Check: Higher pay doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll enjoy the internship.
Better Approach: Prioritize opportunities that genuinely interest you over just compensation packages.
Core vs Non-Core Decision:
Recommendation: Do a second year non-core intern if you’re not sure about continuing with core.
Benefits:
- Early clarity about preferences
- Informed decision-making for future career choices
- No regrets about unexplored options
Final Thoughts:
This internship was valuable for providing career clarity rather than just technical skills. Understanding that supply chain work wasn’t my passion helped me make better decisions for my future career path. The excellent work culture and mentorship at ITC made it a positive learning experience overall.
Contact Information:
- Email: 22b0455@iitb.ac.in