IACCGH Launches the International Student Internship Program

By Manu Shah

HOUSTON: IACCGH Board member Narayan Bhargava cofounded an organization during his freshman year at UT which provided free consulting to struggling businesses in Austin by students who in turn gained valuable experience through solving real life business problems.  Today, this has become a premier student led organization at the McCombs School of Business at UT and has been integrated by some professors into their curriculum.

Narayan, 27, works in the SDB Group, a family business, as Director of Business Development.  The combination of this experience was the perfect springboard for him to spearhead IACCGH’s International Student Internship Program launched this year.

Narayan is both excited and motivated about creating a committee of students and young professionals to establish flagship events and opportunities that will attract and increase youth involvement within the Chamber. According to IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia, with its youngest President Joya Shukla and young entrepreneurs like Narayan Bhargava – the Chamber is “working towards its long term growth by bringing the next generation into its leadership”

The IACCGH International Internship Program is designed to give deserving students an opportunity to get real working experience in India within large Indian firms and member companies that have a presence both in India and in the US.

The opportunity is unique and possibly the only one of its kind.  International experiences are highly coveted in the workplace and the program will give interns a global experience and an edge when joining the workforce or may even lead to full time employment with the partner company.

Narayan has been tapping into the IACCGH network to gather initial contacts and leveraging those relationships to meet with key people within the universities. According to him, the response has been more than positive. Universities have not only shown a great deal of interest but are also reaching out to students advocating this initiative. Companies that have been approached are ready to employ Houston talent and students are eager to participate in the program.

The first internship is slated to kick off this summer.

The program is open to all students who meet the qualification criteria established by the partner companies. Funding for the program will come from the Rolex Raffle organized by IACCGH with the classic timepiece donated by Karat 22 Jewelers.