We feel very lucky to regularly have interns working with us at MAD (Make A Difference) Courses ; we know that they learn a lot while working with us, but we also learn a TON from them! Colleen Miller was wonderful to have on board, and we are pleased to share with you her reflections on her time with us.

If you or somebody you know is interested in doing an internship with a cool social enterprise that empowers students and communities through interactive online learning, reach out to Sophie Peccaud at sophie@madcourses.com! Let’s hear from Colleen:

Hello! My name is Colleen, and I am a university student who has been volunteering with MAD Courses for the past couple of months. At university, I study International Relations, and I am very interested in helping people around the world! Being a volunteer at a social enterprise has been a wonderful journey that combines passion with purpose. At MAD, I have seen a dynamic environment where innovation meets impact which has allowed me to not only learn about other communities around the world but also makes me feel like I am contributing to society, by learning tools useful to help our world in the future. Without MAD’s deep-rooted partnerships, masterful storytelling, and engaging curriculum development, MAD courses would not be able to leave such an impressive impact on its audience and me!

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Deep-rooted partnerships

When I first started volunteering at MAD, I instantly noticed the strong connection they had with their community partners. One example of this is their connection with the community of Zambales. Seeing how MAD has not only been able to collaborate with the community but also share their stories to audiences globally is very inspiring. From not only a volunteer but from a student's perspective, working at a company that treasures deep-rooted partnerships is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to see how collaborative growth with other communities is important. The chance to be part of a workplace where partnerships are not just valued but essential to the company values opens doors to new learning experiences.

Engaging curriculum development

They have designed a comprehensive curriculum around each adventure, making learning a thrilling journey for schools, universities (especially business schools worldwide), and corporate employees. MAD’s different courses effectively engage audiences.  Looking back on other ways I have learned about sustainability or the UN SDGs, having them be taught with an engaging curriculum would have made it even more exciting and made me want to learn more. As a student, the opportunity to volunteer at a company that places emphasis on creating a captivating curriculum gives me hope that more students will be open to learning & change the world.

Masterful storytelling

Seeing their cutting-edge technology, such as interactive videos, to captivate and immerse the audience with their storytellers and community partners. As a student, storytelling videos are a captivating gateway to learning. They take me on a visual and narrative journey that brings lessons to life in ways textbooks often can't. Seeing these communities in videos and not just reading about them, meeting members of the community and even being able to ask them questions is such a new, interesting, and especially valuable way to learn. MAD’s videos weave complex ideas into relatable stories, making it easier for me to grasp challenging concepts.

My experience volunteering at MAD Courses has been such a valuable experience. Being immersed in an environment that values collaboration and shared goals, I've witnessed the power of meaningful relationships with community partners. It's within this inspiring social enterprise MAD Courses that my journey as a university student has gone beyond conventional boundaries, giving me more enjoyment for learning that goes beyond the classroom, paving the way for a future where education becomes a boundless adventure filled with discovery and impact!

While writing business reports on a 1 billion USD investment fund from the state of Qatar into the Philippines back in 2012, I found myself immersed in the bustling city life of Manila. The glitz and glamour, however, couldn't mask the nagging sense that something was amiss. Much of the colossal investment seemed to be funneled into casinos and large-scale projects, seemingly benefiting only a select few. The more I delved into this world, the less it made sense. How much of this could I turn a blind eye to? The breaking point came, and I made the life-altering decision to leave my job.

What followed was a transformative 12 months spent delving into the heart of communities through Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation across the Philippines. The contrast between the corporate world and the grassroots communities was stark, yet the stories of struggle and hope resonated deeply. These were narratives that, while not yet making a global impact, were undeniably purposeful. The decision to step away from the corporate hustle into the real stories of the Philippines was drastic, but it sparked a revelation. This journey ignited a passion for connecting with narratives of hope and transformation, leading to the birth of MAD (Make A Difference) Courses.

In an era where values alignment is a driving force behind career choices, our aim is to bridge the gap between companies and meaningful impact. In the fast-paced world of today, job changes are more frequent than ever. Many attribute this shift to a misalignment with their company's values. According to the 2023 Net Positive Employee Barometer, nearly half of employees in the UK and US express a willingness to resign if their personal values don't align with those of their company. This sentiment is not limited to seasoned professionals; the 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey by Deloitte reveals that 39% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials globally have actively turned down job offers from employers whose values do not resonate with their own.

For those who choose to stay, there's a danger of "quiet quitting" – a slow disengagement from their roles. MAD strives to offer an alternative path, where employees can find purpose and connection within their corporate environment. While not everyone can embark on a year-long immersion like I did, MAD envisions a world where employees can engage with stories of change, resilience, and hope. By amplifying the voices of communities globally, we aim to empower companies to not only engage their workforce but also make a tangible difference.

Join us at MAD as we navigate the intersection of corporate values and genuine impact. Our solution involves connecting companies to the work and mission of local community organizations using interactive video technology, creating a choose-your-own-adventure-style learning experience. This innovative approach serves as a training and engagement tool for employees, offering a unique way to align values with impactful action. Let's make 2024 a year of purpose, connection, and transformation.