Internship Experiences in India

By Aanchal Saharan

I’m Aanchal, an international student from New Delhi, India, pursuing a double major in Finance and Economics at Santa Clara University. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience in the finance sector of the tech industry through two transformative internships. These experiences not only shaped my professional goals but also deepened my passion for the intersection of finance and technology.

My First Internship: VVDN Technologies

During the summer of 2023, I interned at VVDN Technologies, a dynamic company specializing in designing and manufacturing electronic products. This internship was a unique experience because it was based in my hometown, allowing me to connect to a tech hub that’s emerging within India.

The internship was split into two main parts, which made my experience both diverse and impactful:

1. Understanding Financial Systems with SAP:

In the first half of the internship, I was introduced to SAP, a tool I had heard about in my classes but had never used firsthand. Working within SAP gave me a deeper appreciation of how finance and accounting flows through an organization. From managing accounts to keeping track of various financial transactions, I quickly learnt how essential ERP systems like SAP are in handling financial data. It wasn’t just numbers on a screen—it was about understanding the larger framework of financial health in a company.

2. Analyzing Market Segments:

The second part of the internship allowed me to branch out into marketing. I had always been curious about how companies identify and engage with their target markets, and at VVDN, I got to witness this process up close. I worked with the marketing team to analyze different market segments, observed pre-sales activities, and attended customer meetings. The most fascinating part for me was witnessing how financing tied into these activities, especially when it came to manufacturing operations. Seeing how the sales and finance teams collaborated to manage costs and forecasts helped me get a more practical outlook on the process. 

One of the highlights was shadowing company leadership, which gave me an opportunity to dig deep into financial statements—Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Statements. This was my first real exposure to financial analysis at a company level, and it made me feel more prepared and confident in my finance major. I saw the direct impact financial decisions had on operations, and that was eye-opening.

My Second Internship: Qualcomm

By the summer of 2024, I interned at Qualcomm. Moving to a new city in a different part of India was a big change for me, but it also offered me a new perspective on working in a global corporation.

At Qualcomm, my focus shifted to talent management—something I hadn’t explored before. This internship was incredibly rewarding because I was tasked with analyzing industry trends to improve employee retention. In this role, I collaborated with over 150 employees, conducting surveys and exit interviews to understand what factors contributed to employee satisfaction. My work directly informed strategies to enhance retention, which I found immensely fulfilling. Additionally, I contributed to the creation of an employee handbook, a project aimed at developing leadership and upskilling employees.

Reflections

Interning at both VVDN and Qualcomm has solidified my passion for finance, especially in the tech industry. These experiences taught me that finance isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how those numbers shape the decisions that drive innovation and growth.

For any international students or anyone considering a career in business, I can’t stress enough how important it is to gain practical experience. My internships have helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice, and I am excited to continue learning and growing as I work toward my professional goals. These experiences have shaped my perspective on international business practices and have instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the global tech industry.

If you’re passionate about business, my advice is to get out there and find those hands-on opportunities!