Internships can be extremely valuable for all kinds of reasons! You gain experience that can be added to your CV, obtain study credits if you need them, and there are plenty of internships to choose from all around the world.
Choosing from ethical internships, on the other hand, not only allows you to gain valuable skills and experience, but it also gives you the opportunity to contribute to a cause you believe in. By choosing an ethical internship, you can align your values with your work, make a positive impact on society, and demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility to future employers. Let’s chat about why internships are important and what their benefits are.
1. Make an Impact
Of course, one of the biggest reasons why you might consider doing a non-profit internship is that you’ll really be making a difference for a social or environmental cause. The time and effort you put into it will help achieve something worthwhile, which can be hugely rewarding for both yourself and the organization! Although you’re working towards a cause rather than a profit, this doesn’t mean your experience will be less in-depth or challenging. In fact, the opposite might be true.
2. Gain Hands-On Experience
There are many great reasons to do an ethical internship, one of them being that you’ll be doing tasks and taking on roles that may not be as common to interns in the corporate world. Typically, interns in non-profit organizations are highly valued and relied upon. You will gain lots of experience in many different areas of the organization.
Do an Internship Where You Gain Real-world Experience Caring for Animals
3. Have Your Skills Used and Appreciated
Non-profit organizations know like no other how valuable your time and skills are. Both financial and human resources are often limited, so your support gets well used and hugely appreciated. This means they’ll use your skills to the fullest, and possibly also explore other areas of the organization with you.
If you’re currently considering your options, we consider Malawi to be one of the top destinations for ethical internships, so definitely don’t forget it from your list. At a large company, your role might be inflexible or feel insignificant. At an NGO, you are an important member of a team and your input is heard and valued. This can be a rewarding and confidence-building experience!
4. Take on Lots of Responsibility
You are likely to have more responsibility as an intern at a small company. All support is very important at non-profits. Supervisors will spot your potential as an intern and often give you freedom and space to take on large tasks. Though this can be challenging, it is one of the reasons to do an ethical internship. It can also be very rewarding and empowering! You might surprise yourself with your own capabilities. It is a great way to learn more and feel more confident in what you can do, while still being supervised and supported as an intern.
5. Work in a Close Team
You won’t find this at every non-profit internship – but many NGO offices have a very informal work culture and a family-feel. They are all driven by passion and staffed by people with a getting-things-done mentality. This doesn’t mean you’ll work less hard, but it does mean you’re more likely to be part of a close-knit team. This can make ethical internships feel like an inspiring life experience, rather than just work! Working around a bunch of inspiring people, all giving their time in order to make the world a better place, is an amazing feeling that you may not get in the corporate sector.
Now That You Know a lot More About Ethical internships
All in all, when we look at all the reasons to do an ethical internship, you’ll see that you get to learn a lot, feel valued, and take on important responsibilities. Plus, you’ll work with a team that really cares about what they do. It’s a rewarding and enriching experience that can help you grow both personally and professionally.
If you still want to know more about how to make the most of your internship, there’s no better source than Roots Interns alumni themselves. Check out what previous interns have to say!
