I AM EXCITED!!!
I tried but could not find a better line to start this blog. I am very excited to be part of the Corporate Service Corps (CSC) team to Nigeria. Oh! I am already jumping ahead; I need to give a brief background on CSC.
Started in 2008, Corporate Service Corps is a signature program as part of IBM’s Global Citizen Portfolio. The program gathers a team of 8-10 high performing IBMers with a diversity of skill, coming from different countries and business units and sends them to developing and emerging countries to work on projects of significant value and tackle societal, educational and environmental challenges. In the first year itself, the program sent almost 300 IBMers from 44 countries to work on projects in 9 countries including Romania, Philippines, Tanzania and Vietnam. In 2009 the program has expanded to around 500 participants and reached new countries including Brazil, China, India, Malaysia and South Africa.
Speaking about my inspiration, coming from a developing country like India, I have closely seen the problems that these countries face and have always wanted to do something for the society. However, in a rush to get ahead and make a mark for myself in the professional world, I did close my eyes and kept the urge to do something on the backburner. And when I saw this program I thought this provides a perfect blend to satisfy my urge to do something meaningful and at the same time work and enhance my knowledge among so many high performing individual.
So, when I got selected for the program I felt very excited and privileged. Some of my colleagues say it is going to be a life-changing experience. That adds to the excitement!!!
I have been selected to participate in a project in Nigeria. Thus, I am all set to fly to Africa in the last week of February 2010. I am yet to find out the details about my project but I am told that 1 month In-Country experience will be based at the Calabar city in the Cross River State.
More later...
