My name is Arun Ghag, and I am entering my third year (U3) as an Honours Urban Studies and Management student at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. I am deeply interested in urban planning, equitable community development and consulting, with aspirations to pursue an MBA. This summer, I worked remotely with the Synergos Institute as a Human Resources (HR) and Operations Intern. Synergos is an international non-governmental organization based in New York. Synergos operates in the Americas, Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa, working to reduce global poverty through their bridging leadership approach. This approach fosters trust and collective action among businesses, governments, civil societies, and marginalized communities. Founded by Peggy Dulany, Synergos emphasizes that addressing inequality requires stakeholder collaboration and systems thinking.
I was drawn to this internship at Synergos because its mission and core values align with my personal and professional goals. As an Urban Studies and Management student, this internship combines my interests in creating equitable communities and expanding my business-related knowledge. My learning objectives were to deepen my understanding of HR, finance, and operations while gaining insights from Synergos' diverse and global workforce.
As an HR and Operations Intern, I held a variety of responsibilities across major HR areas. These included recruiting and staffing, compensation and benefits, finance, HR compliance, organizational structure, training and development, and performance management. My role involved working closely with Synergos' global workforce, which allowed me to engage with different cultures and perspectives, further enriching my learning experience.Â
In addition to these responsibilities, I took the lead on several projects, such as overseeing the implementation of the LinkedIn Learning platform for global staff, conducting research on financial auditing consultants, and creating and distributing a survey to measure employee awareness of Synergos’ core values. I also completed tasks like finalizing annual performance reviews, updating personnel action forms, and completing salary reviews. These experiences allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set in HR and operations.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was the autonomy and growth opportunities provided by my senior manager. I led the research, development, and implementation of the LinkedIn Learning platform for all global staff. This experience was a highlight of my internship because I got to meet with external representatives, enhance my presentation and public speaking skills, and make a meaningful contribution to their organizational capacity. Another highlight was my involvement in Synergos' hiring processes, including recruiting the Managing Director of the Global Philanthropists Circle position. Being directly involved in shortlisting candidates, managing employee data, and shaping the staff was an invaluable experience that increased my understanding of HR operations. Additionally, I enjoyed meeting Peggy Dulany, the Synergos chair and daughter of David Rockefeller, and hearing her leadership philosophy on tackling global challenges. Throughout the internship, I had strong mentorship and guidance from the Senior Manager of HR and Operations and the Director of Finance and Operations. Working with the other interns also helped enrich my experience.
Working from home created a few challenges, as this was my first remote work experience. The different time zones often led to communication delays, which could impact efficiency and workflow. While the flexibility of remote work was beneficial, it also felt isolating at times, as I missed the social aspects of an office setting. To overcome this, I took the initiative to organize social events with the other interns and staff, which helped to build connections and foster a virtual community.
This internship has profoundly impacted my academic journey and future professional aspirations. It provided me with real-world experience in non-profit operations, HR, and the dynamics of remote work. It strengthened my time management skills and ability to collaborate with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. These skills can directly apply to my university experience, where diversity of thought is a constant. Working at Synergos also expanded my professional network, which will help me as I continue to pursue my studies and career goals.
I am grateful to be a Carol & Lloyd Darlington Arts Internship Award recipient, which provided me with the financial support necessary to take this internship. This award contributed to my professional development and enriched my overall experience. I sincerely thank Mr. and Mrs. Darlington and the Arts Internship Office for their generosity and for making this internship possible. Finally, I am grateful to the Synergos team for this incredible opportunity and the continuous support throughout my internship.
