How are you planning to spend your semester break? Since you’re reading this article, we’re assuming you plan to do more than just sit on the couch binge-watching some TV series. You want to make your semester break count, right?
Moreover, everyone is telling you that you need to get an internship. Your parents, lecturers, and maybe even your friends repeat the same thing over and over again. If you don’t know where to start to get one, then you’ve come to the right place.
The Sonke Internship may be just the ideal one for you. Are you interested in learning about Gender Studies, Communications, and African Studies? Do you have strong human rights and gender-equality ethos? If these sound like you, then you are probably the best candidate to join the programme.
Below, we’re going to take you through all the essential information about the Sonke Internship, how it works, and the entire process of getting it that will help you grow your professional and educational prospects.
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About Sonke Internship
Sonke is a non-profit organisation based in South Africa that works across the continent to refrain from patriarchy. It promotes gender equity and justice to achieve gender transformation in the countries it operates in.
Sonke aims to reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS, which is expected to contribute to social justice and poverty eradication. Also, it aspires to strengthen the capacity of government, civil society, and citizens to promote gender justice and women’s rights and prevent gender-based violence.
Its mission is to contribute to the creation of a world where women, men, children, and other individuals enjoy healthy, caring, and happy relationships. The organisation recognises the importance of connected and empowered citizen activism who can mutually support and hold the government accountable.
There are several types of internships available, including:
- General Internship: General internships are usually open to interns referred by a Sonke staff. Only applications of a Master’s degree and above level qualify for a general internship.
- Communications and Strategic Information (CSI) Internship: This programme typically involves interns working with the media, including writing press releases, supporting CSI activities and copyediting.
- Community Education and Mobilization (CEM) Internship: CEM internships typically assign participants to document activities and work on training materials.
- Policy, Development and Advocacy (PDA) Internship: Internships in this unit are usually focused on analysing or commenting on policy documents or involvement in policy advocacy.
- Regional Programs (RP) Internship: Being part of this internship means trainees will be working mostly with MenEngage networks to engage men and boys on topics involving gender equality.
Programme Benefits
While it is true that companies or organisations generally offer financial assistance for trainees, Sonke Internship is unlike most programmes. Still, there are many top benefits one can reap from applying for it.
For example, your CV is likely to become one in a sea of similar CVs no matter how hard you work on it. However, having an internship program can give you significantly more meat for your CV than a college education alone.
Plus, by applying to Sonke Internship, you will have better networking opportunities. Make friends with everyone you can at Sonke. You never know when these connections will pay off. If nothing else, you’ll be developing a well-rounded list of references who can speak to your professionalism and skillsets when applying for a job.
Lastly, Sonke Internship can help you to have a better chance of working in your desired industry. This programme is designed to place students in industries related to their degree and area of study. As a result, they can learn what the career will entail. Also, this will increase your chances of landing relevant jobs and building a career in the industry.
Eligibility Requirements
Sonke has set up a set of qualities and abilities that are sought in each candidate. Generally, successful candidates are those who meet the following conditions:
- Have interest and/or knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: Gender Studies, Masculinities, Women’s Studies, Communications, Mobilization and Organizing, Organizational Capacity Building, Media and Outreach, International Development, Advocacy and Law, Research, Human Resources, Donors Relations and Fundraising, Monitoring and Evaluation, Sociology, African Studies, International Law, International Relations, Community Development, Health, HIV/AIDS, Health Policy, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Child Protection, Refugee Rights, Human Rights, Government Systems;
- Demonstrate a strong ethos of human rights and gender equality;
- Be fluent in English;
- Have excellent writing and editing skills in English; and
- Possess graphic, software, web, and technical design skills.
Sonke invites anyone to apply as an intern. There is no age or gender limit for joining the programme. The internship is open for dynamic, enthusiastic, mature, and committed professionals and individuals who are interested in learning from and contributing to Sonke’s work.
How to Apply for a Sonke Internship
Candidates are required to complete an application form to apply for an internship. The application form for Sonke Internship is incredibly straightforward. It requires all candidates to provide the following information:
- Current academic programme;
- The current highest level of study completed;
- The location that the candidate would like to work in;
- Internship period;
- Affiliates;
- Interest in Sonke;
- Academic and professional interests;
- Internship type;
- Motivation;
- Personal strengths; and
- Academic goals.
Also, you are required to upload a segment of your most recent up to two pages related to your internship application. You can also complete it directly on the Sonke website. After you have written your pieces and submitted your CV, you will be selected within fifteen working days of the submission date.
If you pass to the next stage, you will be invited for an interview with a Sonke staff member. Prepare yourself well to make yourself stand out from the other participants and increase your odds!
Closing Date
One of the great things about the Sonke Internship is that it opens year-round with a rolling acceptance of applications. In other words, you can apply at any time of the year, and any term an intern is selected. There is no deadline for submitting applications.
If you weren’t selected the first time you applied, don’t be discouraged! You can try it again all year round.
Showcase yourself authentically and proudly to increase your chances of winning. In your essay, tell a story about your personal difficulties and successes. Spend a few moments reflecting on what has given you the courage to grow in your own life. Centre your writing on this theme and don’t be afraid to draft a few.
Contact Details
Feel free to email Sonke Gender Justice at info@genderjustice.org.za for answers to your questions regarding the selection process or Sonke Internship in general. You can also contact Sonke’s branch offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg for more information about the programme.
Sonke Internship Official Website
Complete information on Sonke Internship is available at genderjustice.org.za. If you’re still feeling a bit overwhelmed with the application process or would like to learn more about other internship opportunities like the Exxaro Internship Programme or Road Accident Fund Internship, Recent Vacancies is here to help. We have the knowledge and resources to share with you. Reach out today!