My Internship Experience at JSW Steels: A Journey of Learning and Growth
By Amrit Raj, Final Year, IIT Bombay
In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to intern at JSW Steel’s Vijayanagar plant. This experience proved to be an invaluable part of my academic and professional journey, shaping my understanding of the steel industry and providing me with hands-on exposure to real-world challenges. Here’s a reflection on how I secured this internship, my experience during it, and the key takeaways.
How I Found the Internship Opportunity
I came across the internship opportunity through the placement cell at IIT Bombay. My DAMP mentor already worked at JSW, so I already had familiarity of work culture there. Additionally, I was particularly interested in roles that offered a blend of core engineering, technology, and consulting, rather than being limited to one specific domain, additionally the intern/placement selection procedure and criteria set by interviewers are not much predictable. The business analyst role offered by JSW Steel aligned perfectly with my aspirations, providing exposure across these areas.
The Selection and Interview Process
The selection process for the internship was competitive. It began with a resume shortlisting process, which narrowed the pool to about 400 students. The next step was an aptitude and core knowledge test, followed by a second round test that focused on department-specific questions. For me, this meant questions related to core chemical engineering. Around 50 students were selected to proceed to the final test before the final interview stage.
The interview process was thorough, lasting about 35–40 minutes. It covered both technical aspects, including questions about my projects and the steel-making process at JSW, as well as HR-related questions. The preparation involved having a solid understanding of core concepts and being well-versed in the details of my resume.
Preparation for the Internship
Preparation for this internship did not require extensive study. A sound understanding of my core engineering concepts and a strong grasp of the projects mentioned in my resume were key. It’s also important to have a basic knowledge of the company, including its market position, product portfolio, and potential future trends. In my case, understanding that JSW is the largest steel producer in India and familiarising myself with its product strategy proved beneficial.
My Work and Projects at JSW Steels
I was fortunate to be directly assigned to work under the President of the Vijayanagar plant. Along with my team, we worked on four major projects:
- Demand Prediction of Product Portfolio: This project involved predicting the future demand for various steel products and suggesting additions to JSW’s product portfolio to meet growing market needs. Our analysis focused on the study of the scale of expansion plans of key sectors like automotive, infrastructure, and industrial tools.
- Automation of Raw Material Handling System (RMHS): This project was a study on automating the raw material handling system, which manages around 80,000 tons of raw materials daily. The current process was largely manual, and we drafted an algorithm to introduce automation. This project had the potential to add an additional EBITDA of ₹600 crores annually by optimising the raw material supply to more than 20 plants at Vijayanagar site.
- Designing a Cost-effective Shed: We worked on designing a shed for JSW’s ore beneficiation plant which suits the barrel reclaiming of the beneficiated ores, aimed at preventing losses amounting to ₹100 crores.
- Air-Based Pulley System: The project aimed to design a pulley system capable of preventing the daily water loss of 230,000 litres mainly for cooling red hot steel. Our calculations showed that an air jet with a speed greater than 94 metres per second would be effective to maintain h>800 SI Units (Sieder-Tate) #Chemicool_Engineering_LOL.
The scale and impact of these projects, particularly the RMHS Automation project, were immense, and they were well-received by the leadership at JSW.
My Experience at JSW Steels
The work environment at JSW was exceptional. We were provided with excellent accommodation and facilities, and the orientation period in Mumbai was followed by a flight to Bangalore and then Vijayanagar. The Vijayanagar plant itself is enormous—20 times the size of the IIT Bombay campus and the township was such a beautiful place to reside with bears lol—and being part of such a vast operation was a remarkable experience.
We were not restricted to desk work and were encouraged to visit the plant regularly to gather information. This hands-on exposure greatly enhanced my learning experience. Despite the large scale of operations, the projects we worked on were intellectually stimulating, with real-world applications and significant financial implications for the company. We also visited the JSW Inspire Institute of Sports where athletes who were about to represent India in Paris Olympics were being trained with world class facilities(You might notice JSW inspire logo on their Jerseys. It was interesting to see the rigour that an athlete exposed to before representing the Nation.
Lessons and Key Takeaways
One of the major challenges I faced was adapting to a professional environment where high performance and discipline was expected at all times. At IIT Bombay, the academic environment is more flexible, but at JSW, I had to transit into a professional mindset. This was a valuable learning experience, teaching me the importance of professionalism, responsibility, and attention to detail.
I also learned that contributing meaningfully to a project that has real-world implications builds confidence in one’s abilities. For instance, knowing that my work on RMHS Automation could potentially contribute ₹600 crores to JSW’s bottom line was incredibly rewarding.
Beyond Work: Exploring the Area
JSW organised a visit to Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich historical and architectural significance. This trip, along with a gala dinner with senior leadership, made the experience even more memorable. Additionally, JSW’s campus itself was beautiful, offering a quiet, natural setting that made our stay enjoyable.
Advice for Future Interns
For those preparing for internships, my advice is simple: remain open-minded and be willing to take on new challenges. Focus on contributing to your projects rather than just treating the internship as a paid opportunity. Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to go beyond the assigned work if it helps you learn more. Lastly, having a professional yet humble attitude is crucial—no matter where you come from, be open to learning from everyone around you. If you get selected, my personal advice is to take Vijayanagar plant rather than Mumbai Corporate, you will surely thank me later !
Final Thoughts
My internship at JSW Steels was an incredible learning experience, offering both technical and professional growth. JSW is India’s Largest Steel Manufacturing Company and its Vijayanagar site is going to become World’s Largest integrated steel producer. Working there definitely provided a smooth transition from academic life to the corporate world, and I highly recommend internships as a way to gain valuable insights into professional life before graduation. To future interns, remember to stay curious, be confident, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
