November 23, 2023
News
Student Gabriela Dolečková spent four months as an intern in the Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation Department at Caritas Czech Republic. She helped with writing articles for the communications team but also did other creative activities. What surprised her about working in the non-profit sector, and why does she think internships are so important for young people? Find out in this interview.
Why did you decide to do an internship in a humanitarian organisation? Is it because of your field of study, or was it something else that motivated you?
My undergraduate program focused on North American Studies and Sociology. I researched social inequality and other issues that people with certain disadvantages face. I realised I would like to work in the non-profit sector and help people. I have much experience volunteering as a Scout, but I wanted to try what it was like to work for a humanitarian organisation.
Why did you choose to intern in the communications department at Caritas Czech Republic?
As part of my studies, I had to do a compulsory internship. At the same time, I have always enjoyed writing, so I tried to find an internship at a humanitarian organisation that would allow me to do this. And that is how I came across the international department of Caritas Czech Republic, which was looking for an intern in the communications department. Until then, I had no idea Caritas Czech Republic was active abroad. I knew about the activities here because I grew up in a Catholic environment.
Is creative writing something you would like to pursue in the future?
My degree program was very much about writing. We did not have a lot of traditional exams; most of the classes ended with an essay of some sort. It made me realise how much I enjoy writing. When I was looking for an internship, I wanted to find something where I could apply my theoretical knowledge from school while also pursuing my writing. That is why I looked for internships in communications and PR teams. I am currently studying for a master's degree in Public Relations in Dublin, Ireland. It is a direction I plan to pursue professionally.
How long did your internship last? What tasks did you work on?
I started at the beginning of January and finished in May, so it was just over four months. Most of my work was focused on translation and writing articles. I worked on individual stories of people whom Caritas Czech Republic helped. I also wrote summary articles about the activities abroad. My colleagues gave me regular feedback, which helped me a lot. My writing improved in those four months.
I was helping with other things, such as preparing newsletters and graphic design. I appreciate that the internship is so diverse. It fulfilled everything I wanted to do. I learned many new skills, and I am sure they will be helpful in my future professional life.
Is there anything that surprised you about your internship? Did you enjoy working here?
I had a great time working at Caritas Czech Republic. My colleagues were very helpful, and I was able to do my internship online; I was living abroad at the time, so I did not have to move to Prague for my internship. In the communication team, each member is responsible for specific tasks, and it works well.
Before the internship, I had a little idea of how non-profit organisations work. I was surprised by how many people are involved in each project. There is a lot of administration and other work that outsiders do not know about. It also made me appreciate and respect Caritas Czech Republic and other NGOs even more.
We help people in several countries. Is there a country office you would like to visit?
I would like to go everywhere. Every foreign office does exciting activities that I want to see for myself. I have always wanted to visit the Middle East because there are many stereotypes about the region among people, and I want to see the region myself.
Would you recommend the internship to other students?
I did not even think about doing an internship at the beginning of my studies; most of the time, I did some part-time jobs to earn some extra money. I am glad I had to do an internship for my studies. Apart from Caritas Czech Republic, I also interned at the European Parliament.
Both internships were very professionally formative for me. I learned many things and gained professional experience for the future. I think internships are the best thing a young person can do. They give them a better chance to find a job in the labour market. You can earn extra money through part-time jobs, but you rarely see a job in your field this way.
Are you interested in doing an internship at Caritas Czech Republic? Find out more about the internships at the Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation department at the link below.
