HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS INTERNSHIP AND WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS INTERNSHIP?
I learned about this internship through my career coach. I have always been eager to explore corporate social responsibility initiatives, and Tata Steel’s focus on diversity and inclusion strongly resonated with my interests. Learning about the work that Tata Steel and Tata Steel Foundation do in India, I saw this as an opportunity to apply my skills in a meaningful way while gaining insights from professionals outside Singapore. The combination of contributing to a project with real impact and experiencing a new cultural environment was something I could not pass up, making this internship a compelling choice for my personal and professional growth.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN INTERN?
As a Diversity and Inclusion intern at Tata Steel Foundation, I worked on a disability project where I applied my social research skills to understand how stakeholders in Jamshedpur view employment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Insights from these interviews enabled us to identify accessible job roles across various industries and develop a framework to help employers designate suitable positions for PwDs within their companies.
Additionally, I revised a sensitisation workshop module at SABAL, aimed at educating employers about disability and ways to accommodate PwDs in accordance with the RPwD Act 2016. I also reviewed Tata Steel’s Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination policy, benchmarking their initiatives against other manufacturing firms and incorporating the experiences of employees with disabilities.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?
What I valued most about my internship was the opportunity to take a project from start to finish, shaping each stage and seeing it all come together. This experience taught me the importance of not only being responsible for my work but also being fully invested in it. Being based in India allowed me to engage with local contexts through direct conversations with stakeholders, which was key in developing practical solutions. It also broadened my perspective on how other countries tackle similar challenges, offering fresh perspectives and ideas. Combining these global insights with my contributions from home made the process both rewarding and impactful.
WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Arriving alone in a new country, especially as an introvert, was a significant challenge. At first, the experience felt isolating, with language barriers and cultural differences making me feel like an outsider. Communication was difficult, but this challenge pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. I took the initiative to reach out, using tools like Google Translate to bridge the language gap.
Gradually, I started to connect more with colleagues and students with disabilities. We even began learning each other’s languages — they taught me Hindi and Indian sign language, while I taught them English. Despite the initial hurdles, this experience was incredibly rewarding, leading to unexpected personal and professional growth.
HOW DID CAO HELP YOU IN PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP AND FUTURE WORK?
I primarily participated in events hosted by my school’s career coach, such as one-to-one consultations. These sessions taught me how to better align my skills with available opportunities, which really helped improve both my CV and interview techniques.
Attending job fairs and networking sessions also unlocked many potential career paths that I hadn’t considered before. As someone who often felt uncertain about my career prospects, I found this particularly helpful. This internship further expanded my network and gave me a broader global perspective.
HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP?
As an introvert, I tend to avoid taking risks, preferring to stay within my comfort zone. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that, I found it was limiting my curiosity and willingness to explore new possibilities. That is one of the reasons I decided to pursue this internship — to push myself beyond familiar surroundings and into a new environment.
During these three months, I learned a great deal from professionals in India, particularly about how they perceive and address social issues. Being involved in a project allowed me to apply my research skills and taught me a lot about project management and refining my work. Working closely with PwDs and professionals in the field also deepened my understanding of their needs and how we can contribute to empowering them to live with dignity.
SHARE ADVICE WITH YOUR PEERS WHO WILL BE GOING ON INTERNSHIPS.
My advice is to take the time to thoroughly research and understand why you want to pursue a specific opportunity. Focus on quality over quantity — consider how this internship can add value to your career and what you can contribute in return. When I chose to go to India, I faced many questions and doubts, primarily because it wasn’t the most conventional choice. But after learning more about the opportunity and the country, I knew it was the right decision — and I am glad I went for it.
Whatever your reasons for taking on an overseas internship, keep an open mind, be adventurous, and trust the process. You are there to learn and grow, so make the most of it. And while you are at it, aim to leave a lasting impression of the talent we have in Singapore.
