As an undergraduate fresh out of my first year of B.Sc. Psychology, I was keen on exploring the wide range of careers that I could potentially one day find myself in. At Christ University, students are required to complete an internship after each year. With this in mind, and wanting to explore both areas that I am and am not interested in, I hoped to intern at a counselling organisation, as that is the career path I see myself taking in the future. However, when I came across the opportunity to intern at PARAM, I realised the value of trying research, something I had not been immediately passionate about until that point.
The Pathways to Resilience and Mental Health (PARAM) study, a collaborative project with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), focuses on a longitudinal study examining brain developmental trajectories from early life to adulthood. This study’s exploration of the epigenetic factors that contribute to either resilience or vulnerability to mental illness fascinated and excited me as it made me wonder about the very possible benefits of a study of this scale. Though research wasn’t something I had been immediately passionate about, the scale and importance of a project like PARAM made me realise the immense value of research in understanding mental health.
I had a very warm welcome to the PARAM team. Since I live in Anchepalya, Kengeri, my commute involves taking the metro from Challaghatta to the city centre on the purple line and switching to the green line to reach South End Circle. Though the journey was long (about one and a half hours), it provided me with valuable time to reflect on my day and the skills I was developing.
The internship was very interesting and was chock-full of a range of tasks and learning opportunities. During the internship, I got to:
- Attend weekly team meetings and progress discussions with the Principal Investigators
- Perform data entry and documentation on REDCap and PEBL
- Receive training and conduct anthropometric measurements under supervision
- Observe biological sample collection
- Assist in participant recruitment during field visits.
- Accompany the team on field visits to vaccination drives, NGOs, and maternal hospitals
- Receive training on the battery of questionnaires used in the study
- Observe clinical assessments by the team of psychologists
- Observe and assist in MRI procedures
The tasks I was involved in during my internship were shaped both by the internal needs of the organisation and by specific project-related deadlines. From my very first day, I was actively engaged in a variety of activities that provided me with hands-on experience in both research processes and data management work. My time at PARAM was filled with moments of curiosity and meaningful interactions.
One of the most enriching experiences was seeing how research at an intersection of disciplines works. I was especially struck by the team’s ability to not only integrate compassion and ethical sensitivity into every stage of their research, particularly when interacting with participants from broad and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, but also within the team. From my very first day at PARA,M I could see that everyone was closer than just coworkers, in a very real sense, they are a family, and I am honoured to have had such a warm welcome.
One memorable moment was accompanying the team to a vaccination centre for participant recruitment. Witnessing firsthand the importance of approachability and sensitivity when engaging with participants reaffirmed within me the central role of empathy in both clinical and research settings. These moments not only encouraged me to hone my interpersonal skills but also allowed me to observe the real-world implications of theory and ethical guidelines that we had, at the time, only briefly studied in class.
This internship has also been integral in teaching me the importance of precision and patience in research. Tasks like entering and altering data into REDCap required high levels of attention to detail and adherence to protocol. Initially, these tasks felt intimidating, but as I grew more familiar with the processes and received guidance from Manjunath, the resident Database Engineer, I found myself developing confidence and a deeper appreciation for the rigour and focus that good research demands.
Although I began this internship with some hesitation about research, I completed it with a sense of excitement and openness to all the possibilities. My PARAM internship served not only to challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and explore an unfamiliar path, but also sparked a genuine curiosity for research that I hadn’t expected. I came to understand that research is not separate from counselling or clinical work—it is foundational to it. Uncovering the ‘why’ behind human behaviour, developmental patterns, and mental health outcomes adds depth and direction to therapeutic interventions. While I still see myself pursuing a career in counselling, I now carry with me a deeper appreciation for how research complements and strengthens the psychologist I hope to become.
Name: Tushar Kallummel
Designation: Undergraduate Student, B.Sc. Psychology (Hons.), Christ University (Kengeri)
Contact: tushar.kallummel@psyh.christuniversity.in
About the author: Tushar Kallummel is a lifelong learner deeply curious about the connection between the mind and body. With a growing interest in counselling, research, and the science behind behaviour, he is eager to explore how classroom knowledge translates to attempts at genuinely understanding real people’s lives. Outside of studying, you can find him listening to and making music or engrossed in a good video game. Tushar hopes to remain curious in all aspects of his life, especially psychology.
