Education is not simply about sharpening intelligence and solving problems. It’s also about cultivating fundamental human qualities such as cooperation, altruism, and compassion.
Matthieu Ricard
Karuna-Shechen, committed to social transformation and rural development, understands the importance of preparing young people to become the changemakers of tomorrow. In this spirit, an internship program has been established at the organization’s offices in India.
It offers students the opportunity to explore our areas of intervention and apply their skills through hands-on projects.
Let’s take a look at how internships work in India.
Recruiting Motivated Students
The program is open to individuals from diverse academic institutions who wish to explore the humanitarian sector and contribute their skills.
Interested candidates fill out an application form. After an initial screening, they are invited to an interview to present their motivation and alignment with Karuna’s values. If successful, the final step is an assessment of their skills.
Over the years, we have collaborated with prestigious institutions such as O.P. Jindal Global University, Visva Bharati University, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Bodhgaya, and the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Institute of Research and Education (IRERMV) in Ranchi.
A Theoretical, Practical, and Guided Experience
Each intern is supported by a dedicated mentor throughout their internship. This personalized guidance helps maximize learning.
Internships can be in a variety of fields, including project management, content creation, finance, research, data analysis, and impact assessment.
I did graphic designing, creating visually appealing designs that represented Karuna-Shechen’s goals and philosophy. This role allowed me to hone my graphic design skills and made me realise how every single element holds so much value and therefore, made me a more critical and mindful designer and person as well.
Muskaan Gupta, a student at IIM
Interns are invited to visit the field to discover the activities and holistic approach promoted by Karuna.
They are particularly made aware of the importance of active community involvement and the programs implemented in our intervention areas, such as Early Childhood Development (ECD) education initiatives and environmental initiatives.
A particular highlight was the opportunity to interact and discuss with Anganwadi workers, parents, and the ECD Program Management staff. This collaboration provided a holistic view of the program’s implementation and management, fostering innovative solutions and informed strategic decision-making.
Eesha Gurram, a student at IIM
I was particularly impressed by the active participation of the rural people in the decision-making process in all the projects led by the organization and I think it is the best way to effectively uplift the socio-economic status of the communities.
Subham Nandi, a student at IRERMV
Beyond theoretical learning, interns are immersed in real-life situations that allow them to witness our projects in action. This hands-on experience helps them refine their
professional vision and discover their true calling.
The hands-on experience was instrumental in enhancing my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in rural development. Personally, this experience has strengthened my commitment to working in the development sector and has provided me with a clearer perspective on my career goals.
Kuheli Pahari, a student at IRERMV
The internship is not limited to skill development : it also opens up professional opportunities for dedicated young individuals.
Training the Changemakers
The challenges I faced and overcame, the spirit of collaboration, and the direct impact of the work on children’s development made this internship a cornerstone of my professional and personal growth.
Eesha Gurram
The internship program aims to inspire younger generations by offering tangible opportunities to develop their skills and understand the challenges of both rural and personal development.
Some of them have been recruited by Karuna after completing their internship. Today, they represent the organization during recruitment events at their former schools.
I have learned through my internship the value of hard work and how to work as a team with other people. Having this internship has been a great lesson in how to cope with real problems and situations. I now feel more prepared to obtain my goals and have the career I have always wanted.
Sneha Mukherjee, a student at IRERMV
In each of the offices where the internship program is implemented, we help young people realize the positive impact they can have on society by aligning their altruism with their talents. Karuna also welcomes interns in its offices in Nepal and France, providing a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that make a real difference.
I am Maëlly Salomon, an Advocacy and Communication Writing Intern at Karuna-Shechen France.
What I discovered during my internship exceeded my expectations. In addition to writing articles like this one, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and maintain regular contact with teams in the field. This experience not only allowed me to develop new skills, but it also made me aware of the importance of well-being, both individual and collective. It strengthened my commitment to the humanitarian sector, confirming my desire to continue down this path.
