A Year of Growth: Rekha’s Journey in Nepal’s Women Traineeship Programme
Blog
At Practical Action, we are committed to fostering young women professionals by providing them with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in specialised fields. Our Women Traineeship programme in Nepal is proof of this commitment. By offering a year-long traineeship, we aim to empower young women, enhance their professional skills, and prepare them for impactful careers. This initiative not only supports individual growth but also contributes to creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
Rekha Nepal, an environmental student and our first trainee on this programme, has documented her enriching journey and its significant impact on her personal and professional development.
My traineeship journey at Practical Action
by Rekha Nepal
Rekha engaging in community discussions during a field visit.
“During my traineeship period at Practical Action, I had the opportunity to witness first-hand the voices of individuals on the ground who are directly affected by climate change—from how their income is impacted to the changes in their lifestyle. Seeing these effects reinforced my belief in the importance of our work at Practical Action. I am convinced that even small actions in these areas can have a positive impact, helping people adapt to current changes and prepare for what lies ahead”.
My traineeship journey at Practical Action Nepal has been an incredibly enriching and transformative experience that has profoundly shaped my personal and professional development. As an environmental student, I was drawn to this opportunity because of Practical Action’s mission to address climate change. I eagerly embraced the chance to embark on this one-year journey, looking forward to contributing to impactful projects that resonated deeply with my interests and career aspirations.
Throughout the traineeship, I immersed myself in a wide range of activities and experiences that broadened my understanding of the development sector and allowed me to cultivate essential practical skills for my future endeavours. I actively participated in project initiatives and engaged in networking opportunities at conferences and events, such as the “Women Leadership Academy on Climate Resilient Agriculture.” This event was particularly inspiring, as I connected with women professionals in agriculture and learned about their perspectives, professional journeys, challenges, and opportunities in the field. Each experience presented unique learning opportunities and challenges that furthered my growth and development.
I also had the chance to work on real-world challenges, providing me with valuable experiences for my future career. These experiences exposed me to different aspects of the organisation’s work, allowing me to develop technical and soft skills like report writing, logistics management, communication, critical thinking, and situational analysis. Some highlights of my traineeship programme included completing a project research report on climate adaptation, receiving positive feedback on my work, and gaining recognition for my contributions. I also engaged in various stakeholder meetings, which boosted my confidence in communication, expanded my networks, and provided insights that contributed to my personal growth and prepared me for future career opportunities.
Starting my first professional journey was challenging as I had to adapt to new settings and learn how to manage my time wisely. Fortunately, my supervisor, Menila Kharel, Sustainable Agriculture and Markets thematic lead, and my coworkers helped me stay focused on my personal and professional development goals. My supervisor’s guidance played a key role in helping me reach significant achievements and strive for excellence in my work. She consistently motivated and encouraged me, guided me on tasks, offered constructive feedback, provided encouragement whenever needed, and included me in different events to broaden my knowledge in the relevant field and expand my networks. I’m truly thankful for her supervision, as it has not only shaped my professional journey but also boosted my confidence and contributed to my personal growth.
Reflecting on this transformative journey, I have gained invaluable insights and experiences that have profoundly enriched my perspective and understanding of the development sector. I have come to appreciate the importance of determination, adaptability, collaboration, and lifelong learning as essential pillars for success in this field. As I look towards the future, I am excited and eager to further my education, deepen my expertise, and actively seek opportunities for continued growth and advancement within the development sector. My traineeship experience at Practical Action has been a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and meaningful contribution. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.
Rapid-fire answers!
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- My traineeship in a sentence: A transformative journey of learning, growth, and meaningful contributions to impactful projects.
- If this experience were a song or a movie, its title would be: “The Path to Progress”.
- The most important skills I learned during the traineeship are: Effective communication and networking skills.
- A comment I received during the traineeship which I’ll always remember: “Your contribution has been valuable and helpful.”
- The memory I cherish the most about this time is: The field visit to Dang and Rolpa, during which I had the opportunity to have a conversation with the beneficiary, and I realised that our work has an impact and can change people’s lives on the ground level.
- And, what I would do differently during my traineeship if I could go back in time: I would have taken more initiative to network and build relationships across different departments from the start.
This blog is the first in a series documenting the experiences of our women trainees at Practical Action Nepal. Through their stories, we aim to inspire and highlight the importance of empowering young women professionals in the development sector. Stay tuned!