By Sayonika Ghosh
Volunteering sessions create a powerful symbiosis, benefiting both students and volunteers through a mutually enriching experience. Anudip Foundation, a non-profit organization, collaborates with multinational corporations (MNCs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to facilitate these sessions, fostering a bridge between corporate professionals and aspiring youth.
In offline sessions, corporate representatives visit Anudip’s centers across India, conducting interactive sessions on-site. Alternatively, students are given the invaluable opportunity to visit the MNC headquarters, providing them with firsthand exposure to the corporate world and its inner workings.
Online sessions leverage digital platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, WebEx, and Microsoft Teams, allowing for virtual interactions and knowledge exchange, transcending geographical boundaries.
The session topics are diverse, ranging from technical discussions and soft skills development to interview preparation, mock interviews, and engaging activities designed to inculcate etiquette and personal growth among students. Special occasions like Women’s Day and Labor Day are celebrated, fostering a sense of community, inclusivity, and cultural awareness.
For students, these volunteering sessions offer a wealth of benefits. They receive advanced training and exposure, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to become ready for their corporate stints. This not only enhances their employability but also instils confidence and prepares them for the challenges of the professional world.
Volunteers also reap significant rewards. Guided by the principle of “Do good, feel good,” they find refreshment in their daily corporate routines and gain invaluable exposure to diverse youth cultures and the inner workings of NGOs. These volunteering sessions enables corporates to share their knowledge and experience with a diverse and young audience. These experience extends beyond their comfort zones, broadening their perspectives and fostering personal growth.
Moreover, the learning process becomes bidirectional, as volunteers gain insights and knowledge from the youth they mentor. This exchange breaks down age and experience barriers and promotes a spirit of mutual understanding, respect, and lifelong learning.
Both donors and non-donors facilitate Anudip’s volunteering sessions. Donors, such as Accenture, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, HSBC, Yes Foundation and many more provide sessions as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives, offering employees the opportunity to contribute their time and expertise selflessly.
Non-donors, such as Goodera, Times of India, and PWC, act as bridges between MNCs and NGOs, monetises these sessions and channels funds towards the development and progress of Anudip’s programs, ensuring their sustainability.
Each year, approximately 650 or more sessions are held, underscoring the importance and impact of these volunteering initiatives. Through these sessions, Anudip not only empowers its students but also nurtures a culture of giving back and mutual growth, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the confines of classrooms and corporate offices, thus contributing to a more inclusive and empowered society.
Students: If you are seeking to enhance your skills, gain valuable exposure, and become corporate-ready, seize the opportunity to participate in Anudip’s volunteering sessions and join any of Anudip’s programs today by dropping us a message in +91 8145111444
Corporates: If you are a professional or organisation interested in participating in these rewarding volunteering sessions, please reach out to Anudip Foundation to explore the opportunities available at vounteer@anudip.org
Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring youth, foster cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to a more inclusive, empowered, and socially conscious world. What are you waiting for? Join us in this remarkable journey of empowerment and societal change!
(The author is Senior Executive, Public Relations & Communications at Anudip Foundation for Social Work)