Author
Shubham Kumar
I'm a Front-End Developer and WordPress Specialist with a creative twist as a Graphic Designer. I build responsive web applications, craft custom WordPress solutions, and design visually appealing graphics.
Introduction
Internships have always been glorified as a stepping stone towards professional growth and development, providing students with a chance to gain real-world experience, build connections, and enhance their skill sets. However, in recent times, a disturbing trend has emerged – the rise of fraudulent companies offering deceptive internship positions. These companies promote themselves as MSME certified and appear to be offering fantastic opportunities, only to reveal their true colours later. In this article, let’s uncover the disheartening reality of these scams and how to identify them.
The First Glance
At first glance, these unfamiliar companies may seem like a golden ticket to kickstart your career. With the promise of quick and easy internship positions, they send out offer letters without much inquiry from applicants. The catch? You’re required to post the offer letter on LinkedIn and tag the company. This tactic serves two purposes – to create an illusion of legitimacy and to expand their reach by leveraging your network.
Childish Tasks, Empty Promises
Once you’re onboard, the true nature of these internships becomes painfully clear. Instead of meaningful projects that help you learn, you end up with basic tasks like creating a simple JavaScript calculator or a to-do app. These projects can be found and replicated with ease from online tutorials. These tasks hardly contribute to your professional growth and are far from the challenging experiences that legitimate internships provide.
The Fee Scam
The climax of these scams occurs towards the end of the so-called internship period. After investing a lot of time and effort, they will ask you to pay a small fee to receive your internship completion certificate. If you refuse to pay, they deny you the certificate, making all your hard work useless. This fee is just a money-making scheme that takes advantage of your desire to make your internship experience official. It is a deceptive tactic designed to exploit your commitment and eagerness to gain a legitimate credential. The scammers know that after spending so much time on the internship, you will be willing to pay to get what they promised.
The Victims of these Internship
Unfortunately, these scams have entrapped numerous students seeking genuine opportunities to learn and grow. Many have fallen victim to the charm of an easy internship and have paid the price – not only by money but also by their valuable time and trust.
It’s crucial to remain cautious and observant when exploring opportunities.
The following guidelines can help you identify and avoid any type of scam:
Research Carefully:
Before applying to any position, conduct detailed research on the company. Look for their online presence, reviews, and credibility. Legitimate companies will have a solid online footprint, while scams might have minimal or suspicious information.
Evaluate the Tasks:
Examine the tasks and projects outlined in the description. If they appear too basic or insignificant, it’s a red flag. Legitimate internships challenge you and contribute to your skill development.
Check Accreditation:
If a company claims to be MSME certified or affiliated with reputable organizations, verify their claims. Reach out to the concerned organizations to ensure their legitimacy.
Avoid Upfront Payments:
Legitimate opportunities shouldn’t ask you to pay fees for certificates or any other aspects. Be cautious if money is involved in any way.
Conclusion
As the demand for internships continues to rise, more students are becoming vulnerable to scams. It’s essential to remain alert, question the legitimacy of opportunities, and take a proactive standpoint in safeguarding your career path. These fraudulent internships degrade the reputation of genuine opportunities and exploit the enthusiasm and ambition of young individuals. Remember, not doing any internship is better than falling into a scam.