Work that matters. Learn how to find meaningful internships in the social impact sector.
Education
Teaching, curriculum design, ed-tech
Healthcare
Public health, nutrition, mental health
Livelihoods
Skill development, microfinance, agriculture
Environment
Conservation, sustainability, climate action
Teach For India, Pratham, Akshaya Patra, CRY, Smile Foundation, Goonj
UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UNDP, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Gandhi Fellowship, India Fellow, SBI Youth for India, Swaniti Initiative
Can I make a career in the social sector?
Absolutely. The development sector is growing. Leadership roles at large NGOs and international organizations pay competitively.
Are all NGO internships unpaid?
Many grassroots NGOs are unpaid, but larger organizations and international bodies offer stipends or salaries.
Design, implement, and evaluate social programs. The backbone of NGO work.
Measure program impact with data. High demand as funders want proof of outcomes.
Raise money from donors, CSR, and foundations. Critical for organizational sustainability.
Tell the organization's story. Social media, PR, content, and policy advocacy.
| Fellowship | Stipend | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teach For India | ₹20K/month | 2 years | Education |
| Gandhi Fellowship | ₹18K/month | 2 years | School Leadership |
| India Fellow | ₹12K/month | 13 months | Various NGOs |
| SBI Youth for India | ₹20K/month | 13 months | Rural Development |
| Swaniti Initiative | ₹25K/month | 11 months | Governance |
Travel to Field Site
NGO work often involves going to communities, schools, or villages.
Field Work / Meetings
Interact with beneficiaries, conduct surveys, or attend community meetings.
Documentation
Record observations, enter data, write field notes. Documentation is crucial.
Office Work
Data analysis, report writing, or helping with communications.
Team Debrief
Share learnings, plan next day, discuss challenges.
Your corporate skills (operations, marketing, finance) are highly valued. Start with volunteering or part-time projects before making a full switch.
Yes! Large NGOs like Pratham, TFI, and international orgs have structured career paths. Senior roles at big NGOs pay ₹20-50 LPA.
International NGOs (UN, World Bank) pay more and offer global exposure. Indian NGOs offer deeper grassroots experience. Both are valuable—depends on your goals.
Any degree works. Development Studies, Public Policy, Social Work are most relevant. Even engineering and MBA backgrounds are valued for their skills.
Very. Teach For India accepts 4-5% of applicants. Gandhi Fellowship is similarly selective. Prepare well—strong essays and interviews matter.
Yes, but work in existing NGOs first. Understanding ground realities and how organizations work is essential before starting your own.
"TFI changed my life trajectory..."
"Joined Teach For India after engineering. Those 2 years teaching in a low-income school taught me more than 4 years of college. Now I lead education programs at a major foundation." — Ananya
"From consultant to social entrepreneur..."
"Left McKinsey to intern at a rural livelihoods NGO. That experience led me to start my own organization. Social sector work is the most fulfilling thing I've done." — Rahul
"UNDP after grassroots work..."
"Started with a small education NGO. Built data and M&E skills. Now working at UNDP on sustainable development programs. The grassroots experience was essential." — Priya
Treating it like corporate recruiting
NGOs value passion and mission alignment over polished resumes. Show genuine interest in their cause.
Not knowing the organization's work
Research specific programs, beneficiaries, and impact areas. Generic applications fail.
Expecting structured training
NGOs are often resource-constrained. Be ready to learn independently and take initiative.
Unrealistic salary expectations
NGOs pay less than corporate jobs. Accept this tradeoff for meaningful work—pay increases with seniority.
NGO Leadership
Intern → Program Manager → Director → CEO of NGO
International Development
Fellow → Consultant → Specialist → Country Director (UN/World Bank)
CSR & Foundations
NGO experience → Corporate CSR → Foundation Program Lead
Social Entrepreneurship
NGO experience → Start your own organization or social enterprise
NGO internships offer unmatched purpose and learning. If you want work that creates real impact, the social sector is calling.
The challenges are enormous, but so is the satisfaction. Every person you help, every community you support matters.
The world needs people who care. Be one of them. 💙
Written by Sproutern Career Team
Based on insights from development sector professionals.
Regularly updated
