Name: Pragya Silwal
Class Year: 2027
Major: n/a
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Internship Organization: Paradigm Forum GmbH
Internship Title: Paradigm Forum GmbH Virtual Internship
Location: Remote
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
This summer, I’m interning for Tabi Haller-Jordan, a ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ alum from the class of 1981. Working alongside Tabi and two other interns, we're exploring existing work around leadership development and devising creative ways to translate it into practice.
My work involves understanding the qualities of effective leaders, exploring whether these virtues can be cultivated, and if so, how. This includes extensive reading from various schools of thought and scholars in the field, while also pushing my creative boundaries to envision practical programs based on these learnings. One of my favorite part so far has been designing a journal that provokes leadership development ideas.
Why did you apply for this internship?
While searching for summer opportunities, I was looking for an experience that would allow me to focus on practical innovation in the humanities while also exploring intersectional fields. Upon discovering this internship on Handshake, I knew it was a perfect fit. I had some pre-college experience working in education, and this role seamlessly combined my past work with unique learning opportunities. Moreover, I was very intrigued by the opportunity to work with a ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ alum with such amazing experiences and career trajectory. It felt like the perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
My favorite part of this internship has been the cycle of learning, analyzing and unlearning I constantly find myself in. As the work revolves heavily around scholarly work in humanities, sociology, and psychology, it has exposed me to really interesting insights about the subtle nuances of human behavior. This process has very heavily affected how I think about the world and the individuals in it. While this learning was unexpected, it is something I cherish greatly.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
A significant part of my internship involves reviewing academic work, summarizing them and translating them into potential practical approaches. This process has significantly enhanced my research skills and ability to articulate complex ideas. I've also developed an eye for identifying practical applications from academic theories.
As I envision a future in solving real-world problems, I find these skills to be invaluable. This experience is not only improving my analytical abilities but also preparing me for a career where I can translate scholarly insights into meaningful action.
Career & Civic Engagement Center