Curious about what it's like to be an intern at Salesforce? Welcome to the Salesforce spotlight, the podcast series that highlights the extraordinary stories of Salesforce employees and Futureforce interns. I'm Barbara Alberts, and on this episode of The Salesforce Spotlight, we're going to India, where success agent Akshay Mudgala and his team have dedicated themselves to give it back to the Hyderabad community through volunteering and donating. Tune in for more and happy listening!
On the podcast with me today is Akshay Mudgala. He is working at our India office and he has a great story about how his new grad class really kind of started to start this culture of giving back in India. So Akshay, thank you for joining me!
Yes, yes. My Day 1 at Salesforce was very impressive and there are other 50 folks who joined along with me on the same day. And I think this is the first batch in the entire history of Salesforce where the recruitment was done in such a huge number. And probably I was astonished after entering the office by looking at the infrastructure, the cafeteria, the people around there, and the work culture.
On Day 1 it was probably our orientation day and they walked us through what Salesforce is and what our job role is and what are all the core values of Salesforce. And we also have done few activities and we introduced each other to each other. So on Day 1, we were taught about the core values of Salesforce and I was a little bit impressed about the work that Salesforce does, the 1-1-1 model, how vast the Salesforce product is. So 'til my Day 1, I was not aware what Salesforce is and how big this product is. But after joining Salesforce, as days goes on, I've got to know the importance of this, and how big the product is.
Yes. So the first thing that I really considered about donating is it should be a long-term use. So if you are donating, let's say, 1,000 bucks and if that is lasting for just one day or two days then that'll be again put into end. So what I'll think of is if there 1,000 bucks, how to utilize that so that it'll be helpful in a long-term to some of the orphanage or some of the probably, old age homes.
So what we have done, let's say I'll be giving you an example of what we have done. So with the amount collected in couple of quarters back, probably I think in the third quarter after joining, so we… there was a government school and we have repaired the taps. They are probably lacking water supply and we have repaired the water tanks, water taps [audio cuts out 00:08:08] the connectivity. And now that is still being useful. And that will be at least working without any problem for three to four years, if I'm not wrong. So that is again a long-term.
And we also went to a government school where we have donated almost probably 20,000 worth notebooks, and that will be useful for almost 400 students for a year span. So again that is a long-term. So I'll be looking for a long-term help in terms of what we can do with the amount that we collect.
Yes, normally I do have friends and I used to work with a couple of NGO's when I was in college. So I'll be getting a requirement saying that this orphanage or this old age home, or this government school is in need. So, I'll be putting… I'll be keeping a note of that and in the next quarter, or probably in the same quarter, I'll try to help that particular organization. So through friends or through neighbors, I'll be getting to know which orphanage or probably which organization is in need.
Over searching in social media, I've got to know that there is one particular orphanage which is looking for helping hands, and there are probably 11 to 12 children of… who were around…who are studying in around 6th to 7th class, and they're probably looking for helping hands to pay their school fees. So I've reached the orphanage head and I've talked to him, so he said that they are good with all the groceries or all the clothes, books and everything, but they are lacking to pay their school fees.
So what we have done is I have intimated this in groups at Salesforce and people started contributing. And the first contribution I've got was 10,000 bucks.
It depends on an individual. If he wanted to do something or contribute something to the society, then he can do… or he or she can do wherever he's at. So it's not only about Salesforce, wherever he search or in any multinational company, if he put some time, placed three to four hours per month, then they can just do whatever they want to do to help the community… to help those who are in need.
We are joining Salesforce and if you observe the infrastructure, the food, or the benefits, or the salary, or the pay package that we have. It's probably very good when compared with few of the people who are staying in huts on the roadside, or people who are begging or people who are looking for some help. It's not a big amount, if we contribute, at least let's say 500 bucks, 1,000 bucks per month from our salary or from our pocket. So, collectively that will become a big amount and will be useful for a lot of people out there who are actually looking for helping hands. So, this is what I've got to know and probably inspired from my dad. So, that is the reason why we are still… probably I'm still very active in doing volunteering activities.