Interns run the show at appreciation event

(CIG intern Tyleisha Galbraith): The Cayman Islands Government (CIG) gave more than 120 students the opportunity of an internship experience this summer. Soon, the last of these faces that have become so familiar over the past two months will be leaving the CIG to return to their studies. To recognise their contributions, the Portfolio of the Civil Service (POCS) hosted a farewell “Get to know the Interns” event on Tuesday, 25 July featuring interns Briannah Myles (POCS and Office of the Deputy Governor) as emcee as well as Amorya Crawford (Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure) and Torrean Shields (Department of Immigration), who sang the national song.

Opening the event with a welcome was Chief Officer Gloria McField-Nixon, who touched on many important aspects of an internship – including gaining exposure and experience – as well as the contribution that interns bring to the CIG.

“We touch our community in over one thousand different roles, so it is very important that we are able to expose our young people to these jobs. This is not only an opportunity for them to gain work experience, but it is also to perform a public service on behalf of their community,” she explained.

Thanking the interns for their hard work over the summer, McField-Nixon also encouraged them to keep in touch with their departments and use the opportunity to network, saying, “There are many people across our community in leadership positions who had their very first jobs working as interns in the civil service.”

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, McField-Nixon, Chief Officer Wesley Howell and many other civil servants interned with the CIG before taking up full-time positions in various departments.

Although mainly run by interns, civil servants Aubrey Bodden, Jessica Pawlick and Matthew Tibbetts also gave short testimonials on why they chose to become civil servants and, subsequently, what encouraged them to stay in the public sector.

The Paid Student Internship Policy aims to provide students the opportunity of work experience where they can develop relevant skills that will ensure their success in the future. In addressing this goal, intern Chas McLaughlin (POCS) shared that the CIG has allowed him to develop skills that will prove useful upon returning overseas to further his education.

“Being placed in an environment in which employees are actively collaborating to meet standards and achieve certain goals has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills which will be beneficial to making long-lasting connections in both the workplace and university,” he stated.

Charlene Howell-Litchmore of the POCS Strategic and Corporate HR Unit explained that the CIG strived this year to enhance the internship experience. “We conducted intern information sessions where interns were able to learn more about the Cayman Islands Civil Service, understand the types of jobs that are available within the Civil Service, and discuss options available to them based on their interests and course of study.”

For the first time, awards were given to interns who have exemplified key attributes of a good civil servant:

• Josh Webster from the Department of Immigration was recognised for his teamwork;
• Bryanna Myles from Judicial Administration for her commitment;
• Simon Watler from the Department of Environmental Health for his leadership;
• Shennique Seales from the Department of Tourism for his customer service; and
• Tyleisha Galbraith from the Cabinet Office was recognised as overall intern.

Department of Sports intern, Tyler Lee, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of all students who were given the opportunity of an internship this summer. Thanking the deputy governor, McField-Nixon and all departments who hosted interns for the summer as well as the civil servants who mentored them, he said, “Internship placements such as this are extremely important for young Caymanians, because it gives us hands-on experience.

“Young people our age often times are still not certain of the areas they wish to specialise in, even if they know their field of study, and are already pursuing their degree. Often times for some, it is their first employment experience.

“So the self-confidence, customer service and everyday work ethics gained from these placements at the various departments across the Cayman Islands Government are invaluable.”

The event closed with a prayer by intern Shaquille Morgan (Ministry of Home Affairs).

Tags: Cayman Islands Government, Featured, Government interns

Category: Civil Service