Journalism of Courage
By updating their skills and re-building their confidence,this corporate internship programme helps women get into the groove of the professional world post a sabbatical
Complications during pregnancy resulted in a long career break for 30-year-old Smita Sahni. After she was blessed with twins,Sahni thought of re-entering the corporate field. But opportunities were few and far between. Several women like Sahni are faced with a similar problem. Thus the Tata Second Career Internship Programme (SCIP) was launched to provide such women with the opportunity to get back into the professional world.
SCIP has entered its fourth edition now. “With features like telecommuting,part-time work and flexi-hours amongst others,this programme helps women re-enter the corporate world and maintain a balance between work and life,” says Radhakrishnan Nair,head-talent acquisition,human resources,Tata Services. Women who join SCIP are allotted projects in line with their qualifications and experience. They are also provided with training mentors to get “them into the groove of working.”
To help them balance their career and personal life,as the SCIP participants are new mothers,they are trained to update their skills and re-build their confidence to return to work. “An IT sector job demands 14 hours of work every day. With such small kids,I could not venture into a full time career so soon. SCIP happened to me just at the right time,” shares Sahni who was initially sceptical about her decision to join the programme. “I was not sure of applying but when I learnt that SCIP allows work-from-home opportunities,I decided to take the plunge,” she adds.
This year,SCIP has already received entries from 2000 women around the country. A stipend of Rs 20,000 and a work certificate assures a smooth entry into the corporate world once they complete their internships.
