I'm doing BTech (first year) in an IIT. I want to do an internship in my  summer break 2013. My branch is Chemical engineering ( however, I'm trying  to get a branch change). My spi in the first semester was 8.8. What are  my chances of getting an internship? And what should I do to get one?  Please

Your chances of getting an internship is 100%. So, no need to worry about not getting one (but, not necessarily the one you want/like the most). I need to know about your branch to guide you in the right direction. At-least tell me whether you belong to CS, core or applied branches. But, in any case I can tell you that one thing works for sure and that is help of your seniors. Feel free to take help and advice from your branch seniors (3rd/4th/5th yearites). All your doubts will be solved and things will definitely become much easier than you are expecting them to be. Just listen to your seniors and nobody else, otherwise you may get misguided. Make a CV (Resume) according to your choice of where you want to apply for the internship. Then do the following: 1. Applying to a company: From your HOD (Head of Dept.) get a NOC (No Objection Certificate) and an official letter issued in the name of HR of that company, requesting permission for the internship. Mail (Speed post) or fax the letter along with your CV. If no reply, then contact the HR or any other high official you know in that company, and request him/her to go through your letter. Soon you will recieve the permission. Better try for more than 1 company to increase your chances of getting one. 2. Applying to an institution (any university): Go the university official website and read through the profiles of various professors. Select the professors you like the most according to your field of interest. Prepare a nice mail showing your interest in his subject and mail it to him (some times you need to spam too). If you get a reply, then be in contact with him. Prepare the NOC from your department. Do know that you will have to contact a lot of professors in order to get one research intern.

Firstly, As you are a first year student you have no idea what engineering actually is. This is a fact any company people or a professor/researcher at any reputed institution you may apply to knows. So they might not be willing to take you for an internship at this stage. They would rather prefer a third year student. I am not discouraging you from applying, but you may have less chance. Instead I would suggest you try getting an internship through your personal contacts(Jack) too. If you are expecting a branch change, do a detailed research on branch you want to change to. You can also do a certification course like SUN java. Secondly, I know unfortunately you did not get CS or any other circuital branch, but try searching for stuffs like what does a chemical engineer do. Ask your seniors about it, what they have been learning and how much they like chem engg. If you are scared that chemistry is the only thing you would be learning, then as a final year chemical student(IIT BHU) I should tell there is literally 1% chemistry. Rest is physics, math, some management and your ability to grasp and use a computer software. Lastly, enjoy your holidays :)

Why the hell do you want to do Internship in your First year.? You actually are not aware of what we call engineering aspects of any subjects. What you studied were (you'll agree) just extension of your +12. Instead of doing of Internship, its better that you first explore your interests, gain as much knowledge as you can about different fields in your branch or other, this summer. Also since there's a chance that you can Branch Change, I personally would recommend you to enjoy your first college summer holidays (and probably the last which you will be able to enjoy) because as you see doing intern 1st year, may get you a wow look on your friends faces but these are the only holidays which you will get to enjoy. After this summer all you will worry is about projects and internships.

The basic rule of interning anywhere is this - you have to make it count. To do that, you could either work with someone extremely reputed, so reputed that the nature of the work you do with the company or the professor is over shadowed by the experience of working with/under such a name. Given that you're a 1st Year student, this door should most probably be closed. You'll not be able to get any big internship on your own, and unless you have really strong contacts via family members, you will have to look towards the 2nd option. You work with a smaller fish, but get some good work. This means better involvement. You'll probably get to learn a few new skills, get some exposure. This category includes start ups, small capital newbies, or young assistant professors at colleges around your hometown who may involve you in a project. However, you are in your first year. As mentioned above, you know jack shit about engineering (hell, you aren't even sure of your stream as of now). My suggestion is this - do not waste your holidays. Do not waste them by sitting at home and playing FIFA all day, but do not waste them on a worthless internship that will neither count on your resume, nor teach you anything. Then what do you do? 1. Work towards something you like. I interned with a youth magazine. I wanted to write, and they made me write. It helped me improve my skills, I worked from home, and had fun. There are many such opportunities available, only if you interested to look for them. Example: YouthKiAwaaz, SportsKeeda etc. 2. Learn Something New. And no, not subjects from the 3rd Semester. Pick a new language, and try and develop basic skills in the 2 months. Pick an instrument maybe - the guitar, violin, piano, anything. A new sport? Squash, swimming, tennis? Just pick one such activity, and try and learn, and continue to do so in your 3rd semester. 3. Read books. Lots of them. Every genre. Whatever you can find, and is worth reading. Magazines, novels, blogs - everything. They teach you stuff that professors working in Fluid Mechanics will not, and this might be your last chance to develop this habit. 4. Develop basic skills. Learn how to drive, how to cook. You will need these once you move away from home, and at times even in college. 5. Take a vacation. Anywhere new. Observe people. traditions, customs and draw inferences. Find a gang of kids of the same age, and go hiking, or for adventure sports. Its your first year vacations, things will never get better, never. Have fun!

not sure why you are running away from Chemical Engineering. I passed out in 1985 from ITBHU and I am still in Chemical Engg in Oil and gas plant Design) and directly related as a Project Manager. Chem. Engg. has more Physics (Fluid flow, Heat transfer momentum transfer etc) than probably chemistry. As wide a branch as Mech. or CS  for jobs.