Shab reflects on her time at Become
Hello, my name is Shab Karim, and I worked at Become Charity as an Intern in the Services Department.
When my manager Katy contacted me about this opportunity, not only was I excited to work for Become again but also, I felt it was a role that I could perform well in while growing and learning a new set of abilities after reading the job description. The first week was the most difficult; it made me doubt myself and if I was capable of continuing this internship. Nevertheless, I realised that learning new things takes time, and I learned to be kinder and more patient with myself. The last week was the most emotional one, the internship went so quickly, I did not even feel these 6 weeks and did not want the internship to finish.
Adapting to this new role hasn’t been as difficult as I had anticipated within my first week, but this is a big thanks to my co-workers and management. They have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and at ease, allowing me to navigate it myself while also knowing that I have a team ready to assist me when and where I need it.
One important skill I developed was multi-tasking. For example, when I was carrying out zoom sessions on the PA training programme, I was also making sure, the links were working and other important stuff. Being able to be transparent in the workplace is another important skill I’m developing at work. What I mean is that you should be as open about your flaws as you are about your talents; we all need to know when and how to ask for help with certain things. This method is the most effective strategy to learn and transform your flaws into strengths. For example, when I was asked to utilise ‘google-docs’ I had no idea how, but I had to reach out and be honest with my manager who helped train me to use these types of digital software.
Finally, as a result of this internship, I was given the opportunity to strengthen my key skills and qualities such as time management, communication, and self-confidence. I’d also like to thank the charity for giving me the opportunity to learn more about how a national organisation operates. In addition, I want to express my gratitude to Katy for making my internship both intriguing and simple. I’d also like to thank everyone else at Become for their support and kindness. I’ve learned a lot of new things and had a great time throughout this 6-week internship.
If there’s one thing I’d tell young people who want to work in the non-profit/charity sector, it’s to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, even if it’s just volunteering once a week or once a month in a small organisation! These are the kinds of experiences that will broaden your view of the industry and prepare you for the next big thing!
Shab Karim