Internships and PPOs for B.Tech Students: What Industry Expects and How to Succeed

Students getting ready for placements

If you’re a B.Tech student, you’re probably juggling assignments, projects, coding sprints, exams and, somewhere in between, wondering what your career is going to look like after graduation.

Let me tell you this upfront: your career doesn’t “begin” the day you land your placement but it begins the day you take your first internship seriously.

Why? Because internships, PPOs, and placements aren’t just formal checkpoints. They’re bridges. And how you cross them determines where you end up.

Internships: More Than Just Certificates

A lot of students treat internships as a line to add on their CV. But here’s the truth: your internship is the closest simulation you’ll ever get to the real working world before you graduate.

It’s not about free coffee or free Wi-Fi but it’s about learning to:

• Apply classroom theory to actual projects.

• Work with teams that have different skill sets (and personalities!).

• Deliver results under deadlines and with accountability.

Think of it this way: your internship is like a “trial run” of your career. If you’re serious about it, you’ll leave not just with experience but with stories, skills, and sometimes even a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO).

What Companies Really Care About

Here’s a secret: no one expects you to know everything as an intern. We know you’re just starting out.

What we look for is much simpler and, honestly, much more human:

• Curiosity – Do you ask questions? Do you try to understand why things work, not just how?

• Adaptability – When something changes last minute (and it will), do you panic or do you pivot?

• Communication – Can you explain your idea clearly, without jargon, so everyone understands?

• Ownership – Do you treat a task like “just another assignment,” or do you give it your best because your name is on it?

• Integrity – Skills matter, but trust matters more. Be someone your team can rely on.

These are the qualities that turn interns into professionals, and sometimes into PPO holders.

PPOs: Why They Matter

A Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) is not a random gift. It’s a message from the company saying:

“We’ve seen you work, we trust you, and we want you back.”

So, how do you increase your chances of getting one?

• Don’t just aim to “impress” your mentor but aim to contribute.

• Think beyond your role: how can you make your team’s life easier?

• Show consistency. It’s not about one great idea; it’s about showing up, day after day, with commitment.

Some Straight-Talk Advice

I’ve mentored and hired enough young engineers to know what works and what doesn’t. Here’s my cheat sheet for you:

1. Do your homework. Know the company before Day One. Walk in prepared.

2. Keep a “learning log.” Write down what you picked up each day. You’ll be surprised how much you grow in a short time.

3. Ask for feedback. Don’t wait for the final review but check in often.

4. Network smartly. Build connections with people you respect. One good mentor can change your career path.

5. Be humble, but don’t shrink yourself. Admit when you don’t know something but also speak up when you do.

Placements: The Continuation of the Bridge

Placements are often treated like the “grand finale.” But in reality, they’re just the continuation of the bridge that starts with your internship.

Your placement outcome is often influenced not just by grades, but by:

• The skills you picked up during internships.

• The attitude you demonstrated in teams.

• The way you communicate your story in interviews.

Placements don’t define you but they reflect the journey you’ve already been on.

A Personal Note

When I was doing internships during my B.Tech days, I didn’t have all the answers. Honestly, I still don’t. But I’ve learned one thing: the people who succeed aren’t always the smartest but they’re the ones who take their first steps seriously.

So, treat every project, every internship, every interview as a chance to practice being the kind of professional you want to become. Don’t chase shortcuts. Don’t fake it. Build it, step by step.

Because internships aren’t just about getting PPOs. PPOs aren’t just about landing placements. And placements aren’t just about getting your “first job.”

They’re all part of a bigger journey, the journey of becoming the kind of engineer who doesn’t just work in the industry, but shapes it.

Final Thought

Your future is not waiting at the finish line. It’s being built right now, brick by brick, every time you show up with curiosity, commitment, and courage.

Internships, PPOs, placements, they’re not hurdles. They’re stepping stones. Cross them with intention, and you’ll discover that the real reward isn’t just the job you get but it’s the person you become.

— Bitan Ghosh

Managing Director, Ghosh Group