Young Professionals Initiative Overview

As part of its continuing commitment to building leadership and tackling India’s most pressing issues, Indicorps is piloting the Young Professionals Initiative (“YPI”) in June 2009.  For YPI 2009, Indicorps will partner with government departments, non-profit organizations, and socially responsible businesses that have a need for people with specific professional skills (i.e. finance, legal, marketing/branding, and education). YPI provides an avenue for young Indian professionals with significant professional experience to contribute that expertise to the land of their heritage in a meaningful way. 

YPI is a structured 5-month program with a one-week orientation, a mid-term workshop, an immersion component, and regular reflections.  YPI provides an opportunity to those young people who seek challenging, short-term, goal-oriented service projects.  Indicorps hopes that YPI will empower career-oriented people to understand their potential extends beyond the cubicle walls that have become so familiar to them.  The learnings will go both ways.  YPI people will bring a new perspective and a specific skill set to the organization.  YPI participants will gain a deeper understanding of India and of selfless service.

What makes YPI unique? 

  1. Professional growth:  YPI focuses on young professionals with 3+ years of experience and attempts to find strong partners who can best utilize those skills sets. As a part of the larger Indicorps family, YPI will add to the vibrancy of our network of future Indian leaders who can positively impact India’s development. The network also enables YPI persons to share best practices across the different functional skills.

  2. Personal growth:  YPI encourages personal reflection and a deeper understanding of self.  YPI will encourage team members to appreciate their own decisions instead of going with the flow.  YPI will challenge each member of the cohort to think about his/her vision for the world and how s/he may be able to help make it a reality (regardless of professional aspirations). 

  3. Connection to India: YPI will encourage the cohort to spend time in India in a different capacity than usual family visits and/or vacations.  Ideally, the YPI experience will help each person to create a bridge to India that is entirely his/her own.

While there are some similarities, the YPI program is NOT a shorter version of the Indicorps fellowship program.  We encourage YPI associates who are interested in further exploring their capacities as changemakers to consider the Indicorps fellowship program.

Time Period: 1 July to 1 December 2009
Apply Now! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled (preference will be given to applications completed before 1 May 2009.  For applications please click here.  

For project descriptions, please click here.

For any further questions please visit the FAQs section or contact us at ypi@indicorps.org