My Summer Internship in India: A Journey of Growth, Learning, and Meaningful Connections

It has been a couple of months since my eight-week summer internship in Bangalore, India, but I still find myself immersed in the experiences and the insights I gained from it. I gained access to a unique internship opportunity and experience thanks to the Infosys InStep Global Internship program and support from the Emerging Markets Institute (EMI) at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business; Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director EMI and senior lecturer at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management; and the Cañizares Fund, provided through the generosity of Roberto Cañizares ’71, MBA ’74. I am grateful to them all for making it possible for me to work for a tech services giant like Infosys, immerse myself in India’s culture, and engage with incredible colleagues-turned-friends from around the world.

The Infosys experience

At Infosys, I had the privilege to engage with a dynamic, high-performing group: the financial services solutions and technology architecture (FSSTAR) unit. Working with them allowed me to explore a range of technologies and see the inner workings of a team that seamlessly blends expertise and collaboration.

The FSSTAR unit offers expert advice and solutions related to AI, cloud, legacy modernization, migrations, and security, among others. With the guidance of my mentor, Srinivas “JSrini” Jaggumantri, unit technology officer at FSSTAR, and in collaboration with the FSSTAR leadership team and communications lead, Akanksha Mishra, I worked on a marketing strategy project aimed at building FSSTAR’s capability as well as its credibility among internal clients.

Beyond learning more about cutting-edge technologies and the invaluable skills that I honed at Infosys—through external research, internal stakeholder surveys and interviews, synthesis of various data, translating insights into creative execution, and recommending frameworks that FSSTAR can continue to build on—I gained an insight into how effective teams are run at Infosys. It starts with a well-respected and competent leader like JSrini, who is as friendly and empathetic as he is willing to push and motivate his team towards process consistency and the best outcomes they can get.

With him is his equally capable leadership team, whose members proactively seek and leverage areas for growth and inspire their own sub-units in doing excellent work. They connect every day to align on the team’s priorities and exchange best practices, making sure that everyone is on track. And outside of work, they make time for get-togethers over lunch, chai, and bowling, all of which I was lucky to take part in while I was there. 

Discovering India one place, one dish, one interaction at a time

One of the most energizing parts of my summer was the chance to travel across India, trying out the amazing food each place has to offer and meeting friendly locals along the way. Each city—from Bengaluru’s tech hub and Mysuru’s royal heritage to Mumbai’s melting pot, Agra’s historical gems, and Jaipur’s architectural marvels—offered a new adventure and a fresh perspective. Exploring these vibrant locales gave me a deeper appreciation of India’s cultural richness and diversity.

Each area had a different take on Indian cuisine, and as a foodie, I loved trying everything I could get my hands on. Some of my favorites were the South Indian staples dosa, idli and sambar; street food like chole bhature, gobi manchurian, and pav bhaji; and regional fare like Rajasthani thali and Hyderabadi biryani. Every dish offered varying textures, aromas, and flavors that served as a window to the country’s diverse traditions.

While traveling in India, I got to interact with some of the most curious and welcoming people I have ever met. I was often greeted with “Where are you from?”—an expression of their curiosity and openness. This would often be followed by “Welcome to India!”—which I found reminiscent of how warm people are in the Philippines, my home country, and in Asia in general. As a bonus, I even got to meet the wonderful family of my classmate and friend, Srinica Hampi, MBA ’25. I’m very grateful for their tremendous hospitality.

Building a global network

Throughout the summer, the InStep team made sure that over 200 of us global interns were well taken care of and had multiple opportunities to experience India’s culture and connect with the company’s executives as well as with each other through activities like a local excursion, a dahi puri-making class, and a Bollywood dance workshop.

The most unique and arguably my favorite aspect of my InStep experience were all the Infosys people and fellow interns I connected with, who come from all over India and across the globe. Learning from their varying backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles helped me develop greater adaptability and further boost my cultural awareness. As a bonus throughout the internship activities and weekend travels, I gained new friends who made the whole experience not only productive but also extra meaningful.

Looking ahead

This internship has been deeply transformative, holistically equipping me for future challenges. Working in a culturally rich environment reinforced the importance of open-mindedness, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, and I’m eager to leverage these learnings as I continue my MILR/MBA program at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, as well as in future roles.

As I conclude this chapter, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this experience invaluable. To my project mentor, Srinivas Jaggumantri: Your guidance and support were crucial in my development. To my FSSTAR colleagues: Thank you for fostering a collaborative work environment and for making me feel I was part of the team from day one. To the InStep team: I truly appreciate all the effort you put into making this a remarkable experience for us. To my co-interns: I will always treasure our friendship and all the experiences we shared. And to everyone who welcomed me to India: I will carry your warmth with me as I brace for the chilly months ahead in Ithaca.

Here’s to new adventures and exciting opportunities ahead!

About Chloe Matthea Ocampo, MILR/MBA ’25

Chloe Matthea Ocampo is a second-year student from Metro Manila, Philippines, enrolled in Cornell University’s MILR/MBA degree program, offered jointly by the Johnson School and the ILR School. With an extensive background in consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand management and consumer insights consulting, she is experienced in digging deep into customer needs and rallying diverse teams to address those needs strategically and creatively. She hopes to leverage these experiences, complemented by her dual degree at Cornell University, in pursuing a career at the intersection of strategy, people, and organizations.

Beyond school and work, Ocampo finds joy in long walks, discovering hidden food gems in every place she visits, and enjoying quality time with her loved ones and the communities she has been cultivating since moving to the U.S. in the summer of 2023.