How to Land Top Tech Internships: NIT Surat Student’s JP Morgan Journey

From Personal Loss to JP Morgan Offer

Losing her father during 10th grade could have derailed Gunjan’s dreams. Instead, her family’s unwavering support fueled her determination to crack JEE and pursue computer science at NIT Surat. "My mama and family constantly reminded me: ‘You’re capable, this is achievable’," she shares. This mindset became foundational when tackling internship rejections during recession-hit campus placements. Her journey underscores that resilience and consistency outweigh innate talent in tech careers.

The Turning Point: Structured Learning

Early college confusion ("Everyone explored Android, ML, but I lacked direction") transformed when Gunjan discovered coding clubs and Alpha’s DSA course. Three game-changing actions:

Mastering fundamentals: Rewatching Alpha lectures 3-4 times until concepts clicked
Targeted practice: Solving LeetCode mediums before attempting hards
MERN stack focus: Prioritizing JavaScript/React projects after DSA foundations

"Alpha taught me how to approach questions—not just what linked lists are, but how to apply them," she emphasizes. This systematic prep helped her solve JP Morgan’s easy-level coding test effortlessly.

JP Morgan’s 3-Stage Selection Blueprint

Stage 1: The Coding Screen

Format: Two algorithm problems (easy difficulty)
Key insight: "Identical to syntax patterns in Alpha’s early videos"
Pro tip: Master array/string manipulation before tackling trees/graphs

Stage 2: The Computerized Algorithm Interview

JP Morgan’s unique HireVue round evaluates problem-solving under pressure:

Two behavioral questions (e.g., "Describe technical challenges in team projects")
Two attempts per question with timed preparation
Recorded responses analyzed by AI

Gunjan’s strategy: "Use first attempt to structure thoughts, second to deliver polished answers." She practiced explaining conflict resolution frameworks beforehand.

Stage 3: Code for Good Hackathon

In JP Morgan’s team-based hackathon, Gunjan’s group built accessibility tools for visually impaired users:

Problem: Making websites navigable via audio cues
Solution: Pointer-triggered text-to-speech converter
Collaboration hack: "Align on one tech stack early—we chose React for its component reusability"

Winning the Microsoft GitHub Copilot Hackathon

Gunjan’s finance-tracking web app won second runner-up, demonstrating practical project design:

Core feature: Dynamic doughnut charts visualizing expense categories
Innovation: Auto-transferring 50% income to savings, with real-time net savings calculation
Tech stack: Django backend with React dashboard

Her advice: "Build portfolio projects solving real pain points—our budget app addressed post-COVID financial anxiety."

Actionable Framework for Internship Success

1. Network Strategically (Not Randomly)

Join coding clubs to meet seniors with similar goals
Attend hackathons for industry connections
Gunjan’s insight: "My JP Morgan project partner came from a hackathon network"

2. Stack Selection Over FOMO

Master one stack deeply (she recommends MERN for beginners)
Build 3 portfolio projects minimum
Avoid tutorial hopping: "Complete one course end-to-end before jumping"

3. Mindset Systems

Consistency > intensity: "Study 60 minutes daily even when unmotivated"
Process trust: "Results follow preparation—my hackathon win surprised me!"
Negative thought combat: Watch motivational videos or call family when doubting

Your 30-Day Preparation Checklist

Solve 5 LeetCode easies weekly (focus: arrays/strings)
Build one CRUD app using your chosen stack
Join a local hackathon (e.g., Devfolio events)
Revise OS/DBMS concepts weekly via flashcards
Optimize resume with:
- Contact details
- Academic percentages
- 3 projects (1 DSA, 1 full-stack, 1 open-source)
- Coding profile links (LeetCode/CodeChef)

"Internships aren’t about brilliance—they’re about showing up daily," Gunjan concludes. Her 75K/month JP Morgan offer and Microsoft hackathon win prove that structured effort beats sporadic genius.

Which step in this framework will you implement first? Share your starting point below!