My Selection Journey at MasterCard – From Hackathon to Internship!
“Coding builds the foundation, but communication and leadership define the structure!”
How It All Started
It was around August 23rd, 2024 when I had one of the most memorable experiences of my tech journey the Code for Change Hackathon organized by MasterCard. But the road began much before that, with a structured selection process that tested both logic and leadership.
📌 1. Registration & Shortlisting
Students registered for the event.
Shortlisting was based on:
- AMCAT scores
- CGPA
- And other academic parameters.
Those shortlisted proceeded to the DSA Round.
2. DSA Round
- Date: August 5th
- No. of Questions: 2
- One on Arrays / Strings
- One on Trees / Graphs
- Scoring even 1.5 questions (1 full + half of another) was enough.
I’ve never been a daily DSA solver, but I managed to work through the problems and got shortlisted.
3. Hackathon Shortlisting & Mentorship
Once selected, we were notified and assigned into random 7-member teams. We had never met before, so building connections and trust was critical.
Each team was also assigned a mentor from MasterCard who conducted:
- Team-building exercises
- Technology discussions
- Progress check-ins
“Your mentor is not just a guide, they are also part of your evaluation panel.”
Leadership and Teamwork: My Role
Here’s where things got intense—and interesting.
- I naturally took the lead in our team.
- Assigned and divided tasks based on everyone’s strengths.
- Regularly checked in with each teammate to ensure progress.
- Ensured we had something substantial to show before each mentor sync.
“Taking charge and enabling others to shine is a quality that doesn't go unnoticed.”
I wasn’t the most knowledgeable in AI/ML, but I knew my strengths:
- Flutter Development
- Web and Backend Systems
So, I took responsibility for:
- JWT Authentication
- Backend API development using Django
🚀 4. Hackathon Day – Execution and Energy!
- Duration: 7 hours
- Problem Statements: 3 from different NGOs
We were given a Problem statement:
- User Authentication
- Platform development
- Information Management
Our app wasn’t fully complete—because 7 hours isn’t much—but we:
- Made strong backend progress
- Integrated essential APIs
- Kept our mentor updated in real-time
5. The Final Presentation
This was my moment to shine.
- I convinced my team that I’d be the best to present.
- Walked the judges through our idea, goals, implementation, and innovation.
Even though we didn’t win the hackathon, our concept, effort, and clarity stood out.
“Good code brings you halfway, but a strong presentation completes the journey.”
6. The Result – Internship Offer!
Because of my:
- Technical contribution
- Leadership skills
- Communication and presentation
…I was shortlisted for the SDE role. And now, I’ve officially been offered an internship at MasterCard’s Checkout Services Team!
📅 Joining Date: May 19th, 2025
💼 Role: SDE Intern – Mastercard Checkout Services
🗺️ Roadmap to MasterCard Internship
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Register for the hiring drive (Code for Change) |
| Step 2 | Shortlisting based on CGPA + AMCAT scores |
| Step 3 | DSA Round (2 questions - Trees & Graphs) |
| Step 4 | Selection for Hackathon & team formation |
| Step 5 | Team building & mentorship sessions |
| Step 6 | Lead team, divide tasks, monitor progress |
| Step 7 | Hackathon Day – Code + Collaborate + Contribute |
| Step 8 | Present your project to the judges |
| Final Step | Get shortlisted for internship |
📝 Final Tips for Aspirants
- DSA helps, but it’s not the only thing. Strategy matters.
- Know your strengths. Focus on what you’re good at.
- Take initiative. Leading a team is always recognized.
- Keep mentors in the loop. They notice everything.
- Presentation is powerful. Speak up with confidence.
✨ "Leadership is not just coding the best—it’s about enabling your team and communicating with clarity."
💬 Have questions or need guidance?
Feel free to connect with me. Always happy to help juniors crack the Code for Change!
