Unlocking Career Opportunities: Interning with NGOs in India

Internships are the platform that provides students with the opportunity to explore and earn experience by working in the domains that match their educational qualifications. While there are multiple fields available, it becomes extremely important to find a profile that tunes with one’s passion, interest, and skills. While most people seek to intern with private and governmental organizations, they often fail to see the growth associated with interning with an NGO. The NGO provides exemplary opportunities, learnings, and experiences that often remain underrated in the job market.

What is an NGO Internship?

Internships organized by NGOs provide a plethora of opportunities to students seeking to understand and gain experience working in the real world. They are given the chance to serve society while also achieving personal growth and experiences. Moreover, they learn soft skills like empathy, kindness, and communication which in turn makes them a responsible citizen of the country. Further, we are going to discuss more on the benefits of an NGO Internship for personal and professional growth.

 

Benefits of NGO Internship:

1. Helps to understand functions of management:

Firstly, NGOs just like any other organization are run by human resources. The entire organization is divided into various departments that specialize in performing their respective tasks and responsibilities. A finance team is recruited to handle the donation, crowdfunding, and financial operations. Similarly, marketing teams play a crucial role in generating more leads, reaching more audiences, and performing PR activities to seek more donations. Hence it allows the students to explore multiple domains, gain hands-on experiments, and take part in organizational activities.

 

2. Real world experiences:

Secondly, NGO internships provide opportunities for students to work in the field and understand the difference between theoretical and practical knowledge. They learn quick decision-making and situation analysis which is an important skill that will benefit them in the long run.

 

3. Networking Opportunities:

Since students get to work in the field, they can interact and build networks with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This in turn sharpens their networking and communication skills which is detrimental to one’s growth in their career.

 

4. Feeling of Satisfaction:

While private and governmental internships provide students with experiences of working with an organization, internships at NGO offers the added advantage of contributing to the development of society while achieving personal as well as professional goals. It inculcates a feeling of satisfaction and kindness by helping the underprivileged people.

 

5. Adds value to Resume:

Interning with an NGO is a unique experience that holds immense value in CVs and resumes. It stands out and shows the recruiter the employee’s interest in participating in various volunteering and CSR activities. This makes them more favorable in getting hired as most companies are bound to conduct CSR activities, imposed mandatory by the Government.

 

Pre-requisites for an NGO Internship:

 

While there are no major pre-requisites for an internship with an NGO, interested candidates must keep in mind the following responsibilities to achieve internship opportunities with an NGO:

 

• Should have completed higher secondary education or equivalent.

• Some NGOs may require interns to have completed a bachelor’s degree, especially for roles that involve research or analysis.

• Specialized in soft skills and communication, as they have to interact with people.

• Can provide sufficient time working in the field.

• Possess a selfless attitude in helping others without expectation of any exchange or return.

 

Application Process

The application process for an internship with an NGO varies from one organization to another. While most organization seeks a resume and cover letter to connect further, many other organizations ask interested candidates to apply by registering through their website. Upon registering, a short interview is conducted, and based on the performance, interns are hired for the specific domain and job role.

 

Duration of Internship

The duration of NGO internships in India can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the organization and the nature of the work. Some NGOs may offer full-time internships, while others may offer part-time opportunities. It’s important to check the duration and timing of the internship program before applying, as this can have an impact on a candidate’s other commitments.

 

Success Stories of NGO Internships

There are numerous success stories of people working with an NGO and one such organization is Pehchaan The Street School. A Delhi-based organization, performing the noble task of educating underprivileged children. Ever since its inception in 2015, it has grown to 10 centers functioning with the sole purpose of bringing light and joy into the lives of underprivileged children.

 

Not only this, but it also provides multiple opportunities to interns and volunteers who wish to participate and contribute to the development of underprivileged children in India. Every day many students from renowned universities of India participate in volunteering activities with Pehchaan The Street School and gain valuable experiences over time.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, interning with an NGO in India can be a great opportunity to gain practical experience, develop skills, and make a positive impact on society. It provides interns the opportunity to develop and grow while performing multitasking and engaging with organizational activities. They get to enhance their professional careers and bring a positive impact on society’s growth and development.

 

However, candidates must keep in mind just like any other internship an NGO internship requires the complete effort, time, and dedication of the interns for the successful operation of the organization. Hence before joining, candidates must schedule sufficient time to actively participate in the workings. It’s important to check the duration and timing of the internship program before applying, as this can have an impact on other commitments. By doing so, one can ensure that they are well-prepared and ready to make the most of their NGO internship experience.