Internships

We offer intern placements for approximately 3 month periods (adjustable) for school credit, skill development and business experience. Internships are unpaid positions, generally 40 hours/week. 

 A recent video made by one of our volunteer's from Projects Abroad captures both the work and cultural experiences of her time with us in Jaipur: 

Mehera Shaw can place interns in the following areas of specialization:

1) print design and development, including trend driven colorway/fabric development for textile collections using both screen and block prints, including quality control and developing educational information regarding printing, dye use, environmental standards. Print interns should note that during the monsoon months from June-August, and even into September, printing can often become impossible due to rain and extreme humidity. It is best to arrange a print internship sometime between end September and end May.

2) product management/business development for upcycled accessories collections through our women's development project supported by Mehera Shaw Founda Trust.  This includes providing training in basic stitching skills, and product development, quality control, market research, on-the-ground mentoring/training for semi-skilled artisans

3) grant writing/researching: topics include a) waste water treatment for fabric dyeing/printing, toward attaining GOTS certification for dyeing organic cottons in conjunction with Mehera Shaw Foundation Trust, a registered non-profit set up for preservation of traditional artisan crafts, b) artisan upcycling project training modules/mentoring programs, c) health and environment

4) visual merchandizing, product management, customer service for MST retail boutique.

5) ethnography--helping us to document and share the story of fair trade and artisan heritage crafts through social media, photography, videos.  

Those interested in applying to our internship program, please send a cover letter explaining your interest in working specifically with Mehera Shaw and cv to Shari Keller at: info@meherashaw.com

“During my third year at University I was fortunate to spend 3 months working at Mehera Shaw in Jaipur, India. Whilst at Mehera Shaw I was able to see first hand the design process from initial ideas through to printed fabric and then finally the finished garment. The placement was extremely hands on with Shari challenging me and fellow interns to design our own prints which would eventually be turned into block printed fabric.  Seeing my own work become a Mehera Shaw piece of fabric was extremely rewarding. 

“As well as spending time at the head office I was also able to make trips outside of Jaipur to visit neighbouring villages to see where wood blocks are hand carved and the printing takes place. This first hand experience really aided my understanding of the process as a whole.

“I found not only this placement but the experience of living and working in Jaipur a fantastic adventure and an unforgettable 3 months.  Getting used to local customs and way of life was both fascinating and educational.

A must for anyone looking to broaden their horizons and experience something truly unique!  This placement really is one of those situations where the more you are willing to put in the more you will certainly get out.”

Catherine Reeves