The BRIDGE Internship Programme at BRAC is a flagship initiative designed to groom the next generation of development professionals, offering university students and fresh graduates a firsthand experience of working within one of the world’s largest and most impactful NGOs. BRIDGE—short for BRAC Internship for Development Growth and Excellence—provides selected interns with the opportunity to engage in meaningful work across BRAC’s diverse range of programmes, including education, health, microfinance, social innovation, and climate resilience. The 2025 intake of BRIDGE interns is underway with the last date of application coming up on 3 May.
In order to effectively prepare for and understand the recruitment process of BRIDGE, we have interviewed Asad Uz Zaman and Fahim Muntasir Saurav, two successful alumni of BRIDGE. The recruitment process is divided into two parts; at first, it consists of an online CV submission and an interview session following the acceptance of the CV. As there is no subsequent aptitude test or any sort of examination to present your skills, having a stellar resume is a must if you want to get your foot in the doors of BRAC.
Online application
The application process is straightforward; however, there will be some questions present in a form that will test your fortitude and determination. For instance, the online application will ask questions such as “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “How will this internship help you achieve your goals?” Answering them authentically and elaborately is important for you to showcase your position outside of the resume.
Asad expressed the need to answer them thoughtfully: “Many applicants respond with generic statements, but this is a missed opportunity. Your answers should reflect a strong connection between your future goals and the experience outlined in your CV.”
Fahim also emphasised the importance of reading up about BRAC and aligning your goals and ambitions in accordance with BRAC. “It’s more than simply a nice internship; it’s about doing development work from the ground up. Read up on BRAC’s most recent projects and see how your talents or interests match with them. Practice crafting your leadership quality.”
Preparing an attractive resume
Since there is no sort of aptitude test or examining process, making your impression perfectly with a close to perfect CV is a must. The subjects included in your CV will also play a role in the interview questions you may face in the next stage. Asad re-established this fact: “Most of the questions will be based on your CV and the job description. So, ensure you’re familiar with what you’ve included in your CV—be ready to elaborate on each point.”
It also helps if you include your special skills and relevant work experiences, no matter how minute they might seem. Knowing specific skills and having experience in organising or managing events in your university days will give you an edge in your resume.
“Tailoring your CV to match the job description significantly increases your chances of standing out. Your application should reflect not just your qualifications but also how well they align with what the organisation is looking for,” explained Asad.
Asad also detailed how he stood out among the rest by expressing his skills and work in detail in his resume. “I was working as a user experience designer—a role I was passionate about and one that directly ties into my future ambitions. By clearly articulating how I got involved in UX design and how it fits into my career path, I was able to present a unique and authentic profile.”
Fahim also explained why it is important to state your intentions clearly about why you want to join BRAC. ”Make it clear why you want to join BRIDGE. It’s more than simply a nice internship; it’s about doing development work from the ground up.”
Facing the interviews
If you get past online screening, you will be called for an interview session face-to-face. This will be the final proving ground for you to showcase why you are the right candidate for BRIDGE. For both Asad and Fahim, this was the most challenging process. Asad outlined that BRAC was very different from other interviews. “I had been through other interviews before, but none felt like this one at BRAC. The panel made a genuine effort to make me feel comfortable, which helped create a relaxed environment where I could express myself openly and respond to questions confidently and thoughtfully.”
Fahim expressed the importance of answering questions to the matter of fact and openly. “I think being honest and grounded in my answers helped. I wasn’t trying to over-glorify myself. I just spoke from my experiences.” Fahim reiterated the importance of authenticity, saying, “Avoid faking it during the interview. Bring your true self; they place high significance on authenticity.”
The importance of ECAs is also significant. Although Asad was not that involved in university clubs, he still participated in managing and organising different events in his university days. That means staying active in your university days will be beneficial for you. “Being involved in clubs can definitely set you apart and add value. But if that’s not your path, it’s equally powerful to highlight your strengths and growth through other meaningful experiences. It’s all about how you present your journey and the value you bring.”
Researching where you are passionate about working is also important. Some questions will involve your own personal ambition and opinion as to why you want to work for BRAC. Asad shared his experience, saying, “Doing some research beforehand will show that you’re genuinely interested and well-prepared. If there’s a particular role that excites you, take the time to explore it in more depth—it can really pay off.” Also some common behavioural questions might also be asked. According to Asad, these can be researched beforehand using online resources.
Overall, the recruitment process may last from one and a half months to two months. It is important to prepare yourself with an amazing CV and do your due diligence when applying for the specific positions at BRAC. You should know why you want to join, be clear about where you want to work, and know how you can make a difference.