“VOICE 4 Girls Diverted My Career To Social Development”: Rakesh

For youth, after completing their education landing an internship and then moving into a full-time job marks a pivotal time in their lives. This experience is especially profound when it involves converting one’s youthful ambitions as an intern into a full time role with the same organisation, working with the same community of students.

I, Rakesh, a project associate with VOICE 4 Girls, will delve into my journey from an intern to a full-time employee. As my last day arrives, I look back, through this blog, at my personal development highlighting the challenges I faced, the lessons I learned, and how I found my place in a community-focused organisation despite coming from a non-social work educational background.

My Internship Marked A Beginning…

My journey began as an intern at VOICE 4 Girls in June 2019, where I was first introduced to the realms of adolescent education and community service. With a background in Engineering in Information Technology, I had chosen an internship that was entirely different from my academic sphere—one focused on social work, a challenging one.

The fact that this internship involved working at the same school where I had completed my eight years of education (2010-2018) added a layer of complexity, making me feel that I was at the wrong end of the classroom.

My education hadn’t prepared me for the hands-on, emotionally intensive work involved in serving a community of students.

During the internship, I was responsible for a variety of tasks in a limited time-frame. This included teaching for up to eight hours a day with activity-based content, documenting and preparing for the next day, collecting testimonials, organising a cultural performance showcasing the students’ learning, and creating detailed case studies on the students. These responsibilities significantly deepened my understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by the students.

Adjusting to the facilities at the location posed a significant challenge. But being with the students and remembering my time spent in a school like the one I came from helped overcome this mental block. Witnessing children’s growth from day one to day ten, and the affection and care they showed me, created lasting memories and was an intensely rewarding one for me.

Prepared for the challenge, I returned for the next phase of the programme. In December 2019, I was assigned to the same school, which was particularly meaningful as I could be a part of the full growth of these adolescent minds. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the students shouting my name and welcoming me with enthusiasm. Hearing their stories and observing the positive changes they had made since the Fireflies camp of the Boys 4 Change programme was incredibly gratifying.

During the pandemic, the organisation began working online with adolescents to ensure knowledge transfer continued in any possible way. I had the opportunity to be part of this initiative, conducting activities through online platforms. Working as an online counsellor presented a new set of challenges. For four months, I worked as a consultant, training boys on how to use online platforms and coordinating with stakeholders to facilitate these sessions while managing the students’ session and class timings.

In December 2022, when the pandemic seemed to be under control, I had the chance to work as a field coordinator in my next role as I continued my internships. My role involved leading a group of counsellors, acting as a bridge between VOICE staff, counsellors, stakeholders, and campers, and ensuring the smooth operation of the camp. I faced numerous challenges but learned a great deal about people management, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and handling groups of students. I also ensured that the counsellors performed well in their classes.

Overcoming Overwhelming Challenges

Education Gap

At the beginning of the internship VOICE conducted a five-day intensive training for all the counsellors. Here, I gained valuable insights on personal development, effective communication with 7th and 8th graders, and strategies for conducting engaging, activity-based classes. The training also covered how to handle various classroom situations and capture students’ attention, which greatly enhanced my teaching skills.

The hands-on experience helped me? to quickly adapt to the environment. The residential setting allowed me to understand the students’ perspectives and needs. This was invaluable, as it enabled me to learn by doing, making mistakes, and refining my approach. Over time, this experience boosted my confidence and competence in managing classroom dynamics and supporting students effectively.

The supportive nature of the VOICE team was incredible. Whether I faced minor issues or significant challenges, they were always there to assist me. During times when I felt disheartened, their encouragement and positive reinforcement helped.

The support and involvement of the VOICE team played a crucial role in my acquisition of a new skill and making a smooth transition from engineering to social development.

Building Relationships with Students

Establishing trust and building relationships with the students was another hurdle. Initially, I struggled to connect with them, but I realised that authenticity and consistency were key and as I was one of them not so long ago – I soon became their beloved ‘Anna’ (elder brother) rather than a teacher!

I accomplished this by simply following the basics shared by the organisation during my training that was to be present for the campers; physically and emotionally in every interaction by listening actively to their struggles and joys.

Transition To Full-Time Employment

Being part of multiple camps between 2019 and 2022 throughout my graduation in engineering allowed me to witness significant changes in the students I mentored. So, it seemed like a natural step to begin my professional career at the organisation that diverted my professional career from being an engineer to a social development practitioner. VOICE 4 Girls rewarded my grit by accepting me as part of their team and presented me with the opportunity to be a part of their mission as a project associate.??

The transition from intern to full-time was both exciting and daunting. With the new role came greater responsibilities and expectations. However, my internship had laid a solid foundation, and I felt more prepared to take on these challenges.

The organisation offered me the platform to share knowledge on 1) safety, 2) health, 3) future planning, and 4) rights. These skills empowered them to stand up for themselves and others, leading to success in their own context of lives. Working with students from marginalised areas has filled me with immense pride. In addition, I was also mentoring the new interns for the Boys 4 Change programme.

On To Newer Pastures

Being part of a team has been a transformative experience, helping me grow both personally and professionally. It has reinforced the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals and has prepared me to face future challenges with confidence and determination.?

Transitioning from an intern to a full-time employee at VOICE 4 Girls has been a transformative journey filled with challenges, learning, and profound growth. Over the past six years, working with marginalised adolescents has added a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose to my career, allowing me to discover both my strengths and weaknesses.

The experiences and relationships I have built here have been nothing short of amazing. I have not only gained colleagues but have also formed a family, sharing laughter at the lunch table, celebrating successes, and supporting each other during challenging times. I will cherish the late-night brainstorming sessions, our shared excitement during camp preparations, and the comforting camaraderie in the face of setbacks. Despite our differences, we always came together as a team when it mattered most.

As I move on to a new organisation, I will deeply miss these moments that have shaped me, yet I understand that life is about embracing new opportunities and continuing to grow. I hope my story inspires others to embrace their own journeys, no matter how unconventional, and to find joy and purpose in serving their communities.

Written by: Rakesh Dongri , Project Associate at VOICE 4 Girls