I had come across this platform connecting recruiters and undergraduates, wherein one can apply for internships in different companies. I had secured a few internships and had quite a good experience until I applied for their Student Partner Program, popularly known as ISP (Internshala Student Partner). It is a campus ambassador program where the interns are required to promote Internshala and its offerings among their college peers. There are certain parameters an intern’s performance would be judged and he/she would be paid on bringing in new registrations/getting training sales, etc. (isp.internshala.com)
Long story short, I had applied for the program (ISP 23) to gain exposure and got selected. I was excited, being part of such a huge program, and worked as hard as I could to get maximum registrations and sales for the company which substantially benefitted the company. I ranked 3rd in the program. As any hard working intern would expect to receive their bonus on time, I too expected the same. To my surprise, it was just all big words and promises. I have been waiting for over 2 months now to receive my final bonus (which they call the “Top Performer Bonus”). I keep sending emails to the team, to individuals from the team I know of, but all in vain.
Initially they straightaway denied to pay me the bonus, claiming they had already paid me the same alongwith previous bonuses. Then, as I reverted back with all proofs and bank statements, they said they’d look into the matter and process the payout soon. That was a month back. I am still waiting to receive the bonus.
That’s not it. I was asked to participate in the next edition of the program, which had many more exciting rewards. I did participate, hoping that I’d receive the bonus alongwith the payouts of this edition. Though I did receive all my bonuses of this particular edition (ISP 24), I am yet to receive the bonus (Top Performer Reward) from the previous edition.
Also, they promise for a lot of things, which they never process. For e.g. I participated excellently in one of the contests in which I was to receive an Amazon Voucher of INR 200 and other rewards in kind. They haven’t processed them yet.
The list would go on and on. Make no mistake, they would lure you with all types of promises for bonuses and rewards, but ultimately they won’t stand up to their promise. You’d just work day and night for nothing. And the company benefits immensely from all the work that the interns do.
There are plenty of other interns like me, dissatisfied, grieved, still waiting to receive their bonuses. Someone had to speak up.