What do you do if your social impact internship experience feels unfulfilling?

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In my point of view you can take advantage of this "unsatisfactory" experience for a good purpose. Create a report evaluating the points that made the experience not good and a list of suggestions for improvement. This type of attitude can help the Institution/NGO to map points for improving the volunteer experience.

The first step - communicate and talk with your supervisor about your experience. Do you see anything else you would like to do that's not on your task list? Think about how and what you can do to change the outcome of your experience. Review the expectations again to ensure you are all on the same page.

I immediately switch to more influencing way. I try to feel what exactly the society expects from me, and once it is confirm to me , I start exploring some other way to get their attention on the task

é muito comum para a pessoa que trabalha com impacto social "trabalhar por amor", mas trabalhar com impacto também precisa de resultados e objetivos, mensura??o n?o só do impacto causado mas do seu progresso com a miss?o social.

Reflect on your initial goals and what you aim to achieve. Write down what you expected from the internship and compare it with your current experience. Identify any gaps or misalignments. If you aimed to gain experience in community outreach but have only been handling administrative tasks, recognize this discrepancy. Reflect on whether your initial goals are still relevant or need adjustment based on your evolving interests.

Seja faminto por feedbacks. Eles s?o a percep??o externa e a valida??o do seu objetivo. As vezes é desconfortável? Sim. Mas faz parte do processo da vida evoluir e nem sempre será confortável. O importante é manter-se fiel ao propósito do seu trabalho.

O momento do estágio é aquele no qual se está aprendendo sobre o universo do setor social. Quando se inicia há muitos desafios e barreiras, por isso sinta-se confortável para conversar com superiores e pares e lhe solicite feedbacks. Isso é fundamental para a melhoria contínua da carreira e para entender se é o setor social que lhe atrai.

Take initiative in your role. Volunteer for additional projects or tasks that align with your interests. Attend team meetings, workshops, and social events to integrate more fully into the organization. If you’re interested in project management, ask to assist with a project planning meeting or offer to help organize an upcoming event. Participating in these activities shows your eagerness to contribute and can lead to more meaningful responsibilities.

Quando come?ei a trabalhar com impacto social, eu me enfiava em qualquer projeto em qualquer etapa. Só pelo prazer de acompanhar, entender as linguagens, as métricas, a comunica??o. Depois fui ganhando autonomia em pequenas partes do processo e até consegui compreender o projeto com uma vis?o holística. Tudo porque eu sou fofoqueiro demais pra ficar em apenas uma parte do trabalho.

Quando você é estagiário existe uma coisa mágica que todos querem te "adotar" como pupilo, criar a rela??o mestre e aprendiz. é o momento perfeito para criar la?os, network, fazer perguntas e beber da fonte da ignorancia (no bom sentido da palavra) para mostrar o que você entendeu do trabalho. Fazendo o que ninguém nunca pensou em fazer. Muitas vezes, isso faz com que eles também aprendam com você. Isso é networking.

Actively connect with professionals. Use LinkedIn to connect with colleagues and industry experts. Attend networking events and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support. Reach out to a senior team member on LinkedIn, express your interest in their work, and request an informational interview. Attending industry webinars and conferences can also expand your network and open up new opportunities.

In my experience, one thing I’ve found helpful when an internship feels unfulfilling is to seek out cross-functional collaborations. Sometimes, the most rewarding aspects emerge from unexpected interactions. Connecting with colleagues from different departments or teams can provide fresh insights and opportunities for growth. Additionally, consider volunteering for side projects or initiatives that align with your interests—these often lead to valuable experiences beyond your primary tasks.

Identify gaps and propose solutions. Look for areas within the organization that could benefit from improvement. Develop and propose a project that aligns with both your interests and the organization’s needs. This shows initiative and can lead to a more engaging role. Notice a lack of effective communication within the team? Propose a weekly newsletter or a collaborative platform to streamline updates and project statuses. This proactive approach can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commitment to the organization’s success.

All of the responses above provide a considered & mature approach to get the most out of your experience.Possibly I have a different generational view. I believe that unpaid internships exploit the difficulty of obtaining experience for young workers. They have become embedded in our employment system. They suggest to me that the organisations’ offering them don’t really understand SI. I would look for companies with B Corp certification. This cert requires they pay a fair wage. Even if it is a lower wage reflecting lack of exp. Look for govt internships which pay a wage. I realise the power imbalance when seeking work, but be selective.Express what area of SI you are interested in & why without cutting off opportunities in other areas.

An unfulfilling internship can be turned around with proactive steps and a positive mindset. ?? Reflect on your goals, seek feedback, and propose new initiatives. Network and focus on skill development to enhance your experience. Embrace these strategies to transform challenges into valuable learning opportunities and career growth. ??? For more insights, explore "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries. ?? #TakeInitiative #CareerSuccess #PositiveMindset #SocialImpact