Internship Rejection: Is It Because I’m from Arts?
In a viral LinkedIn post, a student from Delhi University shared her disheartening experience of being repeatedly rejected for internships — despite having excellent grades. The reason? She belongs to the Arts & Humanities stream.
This sparked a major conversation on social media: Are Arts students being unfairly sidelined?
The Bias We Don’t Talk About
Let’s face it — there’s a hidden bias in India’s academic and corporate culture. STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) is often viewed as more “employable” or “practical,” while Arts is seen as a backup or a passion-driven field.
But here’s the irony: Arts students often come with strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and cultural awareness — all of which are essential in real-world jobs. Yet they’re often dismissed for not having technical degrees, even for roles that don’t require them.
The Internship Trap
For most students, internships are the stepping stones to real careers. But many companies still filter applicants based on their stream, not their skills. As a result:
- Arts students are offered unpaid or low-value internships.
- Opportunities in marketing, content, HR, and public policy — areas where Arts students shine — are still given to MBA or tech students.
- The portfolio or past experience of the student is often ignored.
The Real Issue: Stream-Based Discrimination
This is not just about one rejection. It’s about the mindset that:
“Arts students are not capable enough.”
And that’s dangerous — not just for students, but for the diversity of the workplace.
What Needs to Change?
- Companies must re-evaluate hiring filters based on degrees. Focus on skills.
- Colleges should actively connect Arts students with real, paid internship opportunities.
- Students need to showcase their strengths — blogs, projects, public speaking, storytelling, design, and more.
DuWaale’s Take
We believe no stream is superior. Every student deserves fair access to opportunities, regardless of their academic background. Talent doesn’t come with a stream tag — it comes with passion, dedication, and real work.
To every Arts student reading this: Don’t let the bias stop you. Build your voice. Build your value. You belong.
Want to share your internship experience? DM us on Instagram @DuWaale or tag us in your post. Let’s raise our voice together
