Guwahati: Big Mind Consulting Private Limited, founded by a community of professionals, including Chartered Accountants (CA), Company Secretaries (CS), IIM graduates, and Industry Experts, has been strengthening economic growth in Assam and the Northeast since its inception in 2020.
The firm specialises in financial management, project finance and business advisory services, while its philanthropic arm, Youthcove Foundation, provides mentorship and skill-building programs to fresh graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of innovation and economic resilience.
The Intern Project was launched in June–July 2023 to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. This three-month paid internship offers practical exposure to graduates from institutions like Guwahati Commerce College, Down Town University, and Gauhati University, equipping them with industry-relevant skills in financial services, office management, business strategy, and corporate compliance.
Interns undergo rigorous training in basic office management, bookkeeping, taxation (GST, TDS, Income Tax), financial reporting, investment planning, and corporate advisory. The program also sharpens communication, decorum, research, and content creation skills. At the end of the internship, successful candidates receive a Certificate of Completion, while top performers may be absorbed into Big Mind Consulting or recommended for roles in leading financial and business firms.
Speaking to Business North East (BNE), Mrinmoy Pathak, Strategic Director of Youthcove Foundation, highlighted the inspiration behind the initiative.
Mrinmoy Pathak, Strategic Director, Youthcove Foundation
"The Intern Project was born from personal experience. During our academic years, we lacked exposure to practical industry skills. When we first attended interviews, the questions were real-world-based—something that was not taught in classrooms. This realisation led us to design a program where fresh graduates receive hands-on training in four key areas: working in an office environment, developing basic analytical, drafting and communication skills, conducting self-assessments, and making informed career decisions through design thinking," he said.
He further emphasised that many fresh graduates accept low-paying jobs due to a lack of experience. “Instead of settling for less, why not enhance skills through an internship model where financial constraints are not the deciding factor? After this intervention, candidates can demand double the salary they would have initially received,” he added.
The Intern Project, currently operating from Jayanagar, Guwahati, was launched as a bootstrapped initiative with an initial investment of Rs.5-10 lakh. As part of its hands-on approach, interns are assigned real-world tasks at Big Mind’s office and sent to client locations for field experience. Interns are required to analyse their performance and evaluate their career aspirations based on their internship experiences.
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The success of the project has garnered attention from prestigious institutions. In February 2024, Mrinmoy Pathak was invited by IIT Guwahati to deliver a presentation on Business Finance. By June 2024, Youthcove was selected to collaborate and facilitate an Entrepreneurship Development Program targeting students, business enterprises, and youths. The initiative was conducted by IIT Guwahati, reaching around 2,500 participants, with 400 shortlisted and 383 in attendance.
The program provided insights into business management, government schemes, Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation and entrepreneurial skills, empowering participants to navigate through the complexities of starting and financing their own ventures.
Big Mind Consulting envisions further expansion of The Intern Project through collaborations with academic institutions. The company urges colleges, universities and enterprises to partner in developing an industry-ready workforce from day one.
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