In today’s workplace, Human Resources has moved far beyond hiring and policies. It now connects people, purpose, and performance. For students pursuing an MBA in HR with internships, the real edge comes from early, real-world exposure.
Kanchan Negi, a PGDM 2024–26 student specialising in HR and Organisational Behaviour at Fortune Institute of International Business, reflects this shift. A graduate of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, she has combined classroom learning with hands-on experience across CSR, corporate HR, and student leadership.
From working with PVR NEST to interning at Tech Mahindra, and attending the UN Gender Equality Summit 2026 and AI Impact Summit 2026, her journey shows how exposure builds clarity.
In this conversation, Kanchan shares how her MBA experience helped her move from theory to real impact.
Q. Kanchan, what motivated you to pursue an MBA in HR with internships?
I completed my B.Com from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. During that time, I realised I was more interested in people and communities than just theory.
That’s why I chose an MBA in HR with internships. I didn’t want to only study concepts. I wanted to see how they work in real life, especially in CSR, DEI, and workforce development.
My long-term goal is simple. I want to build a career where HR creates inclusive and responsible organisations.
Q. Your Social Internship seems like a defining experience. What did you take away from it?
My Social Internship with PVR NEST was a turning point.
I worked on the Pink Centres initiative. These centres turn public spaces into livelihood hubs for women.
Being on the ground changed everything for me. I interacted with communities, supported training, and worked on outreach and documentation. I also helped capture impact stories.
One thing became very clear. CSR is not just strategy. It is execution.
For anyone pursuing an MBA in HR, this kind of experience builds real empathy and problem-solving skills.
Q. How did your Corporate Internship contrast with this experience?
My Corporate Internship at Tech Mahindra gave me a different lens.
In the social internship, I saw ground realities. In the corporate setting, I saw structure.
I observed how HR works at scale. Policies, systems, and culture all come together. I also saw how decisions are implemented across teams.
Both experiences balanced each other. One taught me empathy. The other taught me structure.
That is where an MBA in HR with internships really stands out.
Q. You’ve also been actively involved in CSR and leadership roles on campus. Tell us about that.
As CRM Head in the Student Council, I worked closely on social initiatives.
I helped onboard more than 12 NGOs. I also coordinated outreach sessions and supported the Social Internship Program for a large group of students.
Before this, I worked with Rainbowdun on LGBTQ+ community programs. That experience shaped my understanding of inclusion at the grassroots level.
All of this taught me one thing. HR, CSR, and DEI are deeply connected.
Q. You’ve attended major summits and conferences. How did they shape your perspective?
Attending the UN Gender Equality Summit and the AI Impact Summit was eye-opening.
At the Gender Equality Summit, I understood how HR decisions affect leadership pipelines and retention.
At the AI Impact Summit, I explored how technology is changing HR. Topics like bias in AI and the future of work stood out.
These experiences helped me connect theory with reality.
HR today is not just about managing people. It is about building systems that are fair, inclusive, and future-ready.
Q. How have bootcamps and industry exposure contributed to your learning?
The hands-on exposure made a big difference.
Through bootcamps in HR Analytics, ESG, and AI tools, I learned how to apply concepts. Sessions with leaders from companies like EY, KPMG, and EXL made learning practical.
The Career Pathway Simulation also helped a lot. It included mock interviews, role-based tasks, and feedback. It showed me how I perform under pressure.
This kind of learning prepares you for real roles, not just exams.
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