“It deepened my appreciation for purpose-driven work and established my interest in pursuing a career that combines business strategy with social impact."
What drew you to intern at The Red Pencil (Singapore), and what was your role during your internship?
I was drawn to intern at The Red Pencil (Singapore) because of its meaningful mission to bring the power of creative arts therapy to individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. As someone with an engineering background, I found the transformative power of arts deeply inspiring, whilst gaining knowledge about the field of social service sector. During my internship, I supported the corporate partnerships team—helping with event coordination, donor engagement, and assisting with administrative tasks through our CRM software. This experience gave me valuable insight into how a non-profit organization operates while allowing me to contribute to a cause I care about.
How did your experience as a Corporate Partnerships intern influence your personal or professional development?
My experience as a corporate partnerships intern at The Red Pencil (Singapore) substantially influenced both my personal and professional growth. On a professional level, I developed a deeper understanding of stakeholder engagement, learned how to craft persuasive partnership proposals, and gained hands-on experience in the digitalization process of the organization. Personally, it strengthened my communication and interpersonal skills, as I regularly liaised with corporate partners and supported fundraising efforts. Most importantly, it deepened my appreciation for purpose-driven work and established my interest in pursuing a career that combines business strategy with social impact.
Can you share a memorable project or task you worked on during your time at The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
One of the most memorable projects I worked on during my time at The Red Pencil (Singapore) was supporting our very first charity gala dinner. I was involved in coordinating partnerships with local artists, helping to establish an online auction platform, and ensuring the smoothness of the event on the day itself. Seeing how creative expression could bring healing and our guest’s active involvement towards our activities was incredibly fulfilling. It showed me the relevance of combining creative arts with social good, and it deepened my appreciation and respect for nonprofit work.
What skills or knowledge did you gain or improve upon during your internship, and how did you see them benefiting your future career?
During my internship at The Red Pencil (Singapore), I developed and strengthened several key skills, particularly in stakeholder communication and project coordination, while also gaining hands-on experience with CRM software to track donor engagement and streamline outreach efforts. I learned how to craft compelling partnership proposals, manage sponsor relationships, and communicate the impact of our work in a meaningful way. I was also actively involved in the integration of our CRM software, enabling a more centralized and automatic system to compliment our daily operations. These skills have enhanced my confidence in managing partnerships and will be valuable in any future role involving client or donor relations.
What did you learn about art therapy and its impact on people in need?
During my time at The Red Pencil (Singapore), I learned that art therapy offers a unique metaverbal form of expression—allowing individuals to communicate thoughts and emotions, through art, that are difficult to articulate with words. I witnessed how this approach helped people process trauma, reduce anxiety, and regain a sense of security and control over their narrative. It deepened my appreciation for the role of creative art therapies in promoting mental and emotional wellbeing, especially for vulnerable communities.
How has your experience as an intern shaped your future career goals or aspirations?
My internship at The Red Pencil (Singapore) gave me meaningful exposure to the non-profit sector and showed me the real-world impact of socially-driven work. It sparked my interest in pursuing a career that combines purpose with communication—whether in corporate social responsibility, partnerships, or outreach. The experience encourages me to work in roles where I can not only contribute to positive change, but also leverage relationship-building and strategic communication skills.
