SummerDiaries: ‘The internship made sustainability feel more practical’

Internships give IB students practical exposure, deepen their academic interests, and help them make informed career choices. For those planning to study abroad, such experiences also demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and the ability to apply classroom learning to real-world situations. Meet one such student, Arjun Sharma of DP-1 at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park.

In an interview, he talks about his responsibilities during his internship with ScrapUncle, among other things.

What inspired you to intern with ScrapUncle?

I was interested in understanding how waste is managed after it leaves our homes and how recycling actually works in practice. I was particularly interested in ScrapUncle because it operates in an area that most people interact with every day but rarely think deeply about. I wanted to see how a business could combine sustainability with a practical, commercially viable model.

What were your main responsibilities during the internship?

I worked on data analysis, chatbot improvement, and the development of automated call flows. I analysed operational data to identify patterns and areas for improvement, contributed to enhancing the chatbot’s accuracy and user experience, and helped design automated call processes to make customer interactions more efficient.

What did you learn about waste management and recycling?

Through this work, I gained practical insight into how technology and data can improve business operations and customer service. I learnt that recycling is much more complex than simply putting waste into different bins. Although my work focused primarily on the technological side of the business rather than physical waste collection, I gained a better understanding of how technology can support the recycling process.

Did you face any challenges, and how did you overcome them?

One of the main challenges was understanding an industry that I had very little practical knowledge of before the internship. Many processes and terms were initially unfamiliar to me. I overcame this by asking questions, conducting my own research and trying to understand the reasoning behind each stage of the process rather than simply memorising information.

How did the IB curriculum prepare you for this experience?

The IB curriculum helped me particularly through its emphasis on research, critical thinking and applying knowledge to real-world situations. Mathematics strengthened my problem-solving skills. It also encouraged me to look for patterns, consider different methods and evaluate whether my conclusions made sense. This helped me approach unfamiliar situations during the internship with greater confidence and curiosity.

How has the internship influenced your views on sustainability?

The internship made sustainability feel much more practical and less theoretical. Before the experience, I mainly thought about sustainability in terms of reducing consumption, reusing products and recycling. I now understand that sustainability also depends on the systems behind these actions.

How did the experience help you develop professionally and personally?

Professionally, the internship improved my ability to research unfamiliar topics, analyse information and communicate my findings. It also gave me an understanding of how different parts of a business work together to solve a real-world problem. Personally, it made me more comfortable asking questions and working outside my usual academic environment. I also became more aware of the impact of everyday decisions regarding waste.

What surprised you most about working in the waste-management sector?

It was the sheer amount of value that can still exist in something people consider to be ‘waste’. Materials that appear useless to the average consumer can have significant economic value when they are properly segregated and processed. I was also surprised by how many different factors are involved in making recycling work effectively. It is not just an environmental issue; it also involves logistics, economics, technology, consumer behaviour, and business strategy.