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Volunteer Internship
ISEN CIR 1 - 2022
Role
Member
Duration and Result
2 Weeks | Validated
Team
Individual Internship
Overview
As part of my first-year engineering school internship, I joined the Emmaüs community in Bruz. This internship, mandatory for my degree, allowed me to participate in the life of a solidarity organization by actively contributing to the social and humanitarian missions carried out by this association. Over the course of two weeks, I was involved in various daily tasks, from organizing sales to managing volunteers.
Goal
Contributing to the social and solidarity mission of Emmaüs.
The aim of this internship was to immerse myself in the functioning of an associative structure while contributing to its essential activities. Emmaüs aims to support people in difficulty, both socially and professionally, through community living and the management of a self-financed entrepreneurial project. My role was to assist in this mission by participating in the organization of the sales room, managing stock, and helping to improve internal organization.
Context
An autonomous and human associative model.
Emmaüs is an association that operates without subsidies, relying entirely on the sale of donated items and the solidarity among community members. The Bruz center, where I completed my internship, welcomes volunteers, companions, and beneficiaries, all united around a common project: ensuring the community's operation while promoting social and professional reintegration. In this context, I discovered an environment where collaboration and mutual assistance are at the heart of daily life.
Process and Methodology
Organization and active participation.
During this internship, my tasks were varied. I participated in managing incoming items, sorting objects, setting up sales displays, and organizing sales days. One of my main responsibilities was to create a digital file to record and manage volunteers, which had previously been managed solely on paper. I also established a board to facilitate meal management. Additionally, I contributed to improving the storage space for books by creating specific compartments.
My daily life was punctuated by community life: sharing moments during meals, regular exchanges with volunteers, and active participation in managing weekly sales.
Challenges Faced and Solutions
Managing a diversity of tasks and improving organization.
One of the main challenges was organizing tasks in an environment where hierarchy is minimal and everyone manages their own schedule autonomously. Thus, it was necessary to take initiatives and adapt to a very flexible way of working. I specifically had to optimize the organization of the book section by creating compartments to improve customers' search for books.
Another challenge was structuring volunteer information, moving from paper support to a more efficient digital file. This allowed for centralized and better management of information regarding their participation and meal management.
Results
Improvement of internal organization and support for sales activities.
Thanks to the initiatives taken during my internship, I contributed to a better organization of volunteer management and optimization of the book section. Transitioning to a digital file facilitated the tracking and management of meals for the kitchen team, while the compartments for books allowed for more effective organization for sales. These small improvements had a tangible impact on the daily functioning of the association while enhancing the efficiency of their sales activities.
Lessons Learned and Skills Gained
A human immersion and successful project management.
This internship allowed me to develop several key skills, particularly in project management and interpersonal relations. Working in an association provided me with a better understanding of human dynamics and the importance of mutual aid. I gained greater interpersonal ease, especially during sales days, where interaction with the public was crucial.
It was also an opportunity to strengthen my organizational and time management skills by taking on various tasks and working autonomously. This internship not only enriched my personal experience but also helped me better grasp the challenges faced by an associative structure.