Social Impact Internships: Khadiza Rahman (’27)
Hello! My name is Khadiza Rahman, and I am a rising sophomore at MIT, majoring in Computer Science and Molecular Biology. This summer, I had the privilege of interning at the Majira Project as an Equitable Entrepreneurship Intern. The Majira Project is a free non-profit accelerator program dedicated to helping underrepresented founders scale their ventures, with the ultimate goal of achieving economic justice for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities through entrepreneurship.
During my internship, I worked on a variety of tasks. I was responsible for organizing key data on our cohort companies, such as their revenue, funding, and jobs created. I also took on creative tasks like designing marketing materials for the Majira Project’s social media platforms. One of my more impactful roles involved reviewing slide decks from our alumni, providing feedback, and ensuring their pitches were polished for potential investors and stakeholders. This was my first time stepping into something that felt akin to consulting work, and it gave me a new perspective on the ways I could leverage my skills in the future.
One thing that drew me to the Majira Project was its name. “Majira” means “summer” in Swahili, symbolizing growth and opportunity. I found this fitting because the Majira Project aims to cultivate and accelerate growth for startups by providing access to the four C’s: consulting, coaching, connections, and capital. The organization’s mission aligned perfectly with my own passion for social justice, making this internship a powerful learning experience.
When I reflect on my first day, I remember feeling excited but also nervous. This was my first internship after joining MIT, and my first experience working in Boston. At that time, I wasn’t entirely sure what being an “equitable entrepreneur” meant, and I expected that my role would primarily focus on administrative and operational tasks. However, as I immersed myself in the work, I came to understand that being an equitable entrepreneur involves actively advocating for social justice within your community by leveraging business as a force for good. This deeper understanding shaped my work throughout the summer.
Before this internship, I wasn’t very familiar with Boston’s startup scene. I now realize there is an incredibly vibrant network of founders, many of whom are working on impactful ventures aimed at creating positive change. I had the chance to attend venture networking events hosted at CIC, where the Majira Project is based. It was eye-opening to see such a strong entrepreneurial community right outside MIT. These events not only connected me to the local startup ecosystem but also inspired me to continue participating in similar events, even after my internship ends.
Throughout my time at the Majira Project, I balanced multiple responsibilities. I optimized record-keeping for the organization, created promotional materials, and conducted interviews with alumni to highlight their experiences as founders. These interviews were particularly inspiring—they allowed me to learn firsthand how the Majira Project has empowered these entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and thrive in the competitive startup world.
Looking forward, I will carry the lessons I’ve learned from this experience into my future endeavors. The resilience and determination of the alumni founders have inspired me to remain persistent in my own entrepreneurial journey. I now have a clearer understanding of how startups and accelerators operate on a day-to-day basis, and I have gained valuable skills in organization, optimization, and storytelling. These insights will be incredibly useful as I continue to explore the startup world and work toward building my own venture.
My time at the Majira Project has not only broadened my knowledge of equitable entrepreneurship but also solidified my commitment to using business as a means to drive social impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible organization, and I know that the experiences and connections I made this summer will continue to shape my path forward.
Tags: Social Impact Internships, Social Impact Internships 2024, Social Impact Internships Summer 2024, Tech for Good
