Fourteen Bermudian students are to have a remarkable introduction to the Island’s corporate world this summer. In a ten-week internship scheme organised jointly by HSBC Bermuda, Ace and Deloitte, the group will rotate through each company — gaining valuable exposure to Bermuda’s reinsurance, accounting and financial services sectors.

The Summer Internship Programme, now in its eighth year, was established to attract more Bermudian university graduates to international business upon their return home. Since 2003, the programme has taken on almost 100 students — many of whom have returned to positions in companies where they once interned.

Introducing the students yesterday, the programme’s organisers said the experience would offer the students not only work experience but important networking opportunities.

“The variety of experiences offered this summer will position these 14 interns to make informed career choices in the future,” said Yolanda Outerbridge, head of HSBC Bermuda’s Human Resource department.

“This summer they will gain insight into three very different yet connected industries, make contacts with key industry players and begin to build their professional networks.”

Meanwhile, Ace Bermuda president and CEO Rees Fletcher congratulated the students “on their wise choice” of applying for a internship that “will show them that the world is accessible right here at home, and at the same time expose them to potential careers”.

Mr. Fletcher added that though the interns stood to benefit from the experience, the programme would ultimately pay dividends for the entire industry. “We know that by investing in our people we are developing the intellectual capital needed to differentiate ourselves from the worldwide marketplace,” he said.

David Mutch, a partner at Deloitte, welcomed the interns and said he hoped the experience would alter familiar stereotypes of ‘boring accountants’ and ultimately “set the students apart from their peers”.

This summer’s interns — who are completing degrees at various universities in the United States, Canada and Britain — will be assigned projects to complete at each participating company. For instance, interns at Ace will research the underwriting and claims processes in a project called, “What happens when disaster strikes?”

While some summer internships offer only menial work and limited responsibility, the students have been assured they will be not be confined to the photocopier.

Indeed, though much of the internships will be spent Hamilton office buildings, a community service scheme has been included - which organisers hope will instill the virtues of corporate citizenship in the industry’s “future leaders”.

One initiative will see the interns assist in the creation of a web portal to connect donors with local charities and non-profits. “Having this portal in place will be the foundation for other upcoming projects intended to make giving and receiving more efficient,” said Jennifer Burland-Adams of the Centre on Philanthropy, which has partnered with programme this summer.

Interns will also join with Keep Bermuda Beautiful to address the problem of illegal dumping in Bermuda. “The interns will help KBB to determine the extent of the problem in Bermuda, consider some of the reasons behind the habit and develop strategies to successfully address illegal dumping,” said Anne Hyde, the charity’s executive director. “KBB hopes that with the fresh minds and motivation of the summer interns we will find a new way to tackle the issue.”

After their introduction to the media yesterday, The Royal Gazette spoke with two of this summer’s interns about their expectations for the weeks ahead.

Jordan Commissiong, who has just completed his third year of a degree in Business Management and Finance, admitted to some apprehension about working in three of the island’s most prominent businesses. “I did wake up this morning a little nervous, to be honest, but I’ve spoken to a few friends who did [the internship] before, and they told me what to expect,” he said.

Mr. Commissiong, who has interned previously at Butterfield Bank, says he hopes to pursue a law degree in London after graduation.

Harry Masters, a junior at the University of North Carolina, said he had not settled on a career choice but was looking forward to starting the internship: “I’m still trying to figure everything out, but I definitely want to incorporate a business element so this will be very useful.”

Mr. Masters, who is majoring in Environmental Studies, said he was especially pleased to be volunteering for KBB through the programme.

Both students say they plan to return to work in Bermuda eventually, perhaps after gaining some work experience abroad. The programme’s organisers say they hope the internship will give Bermudians like these two the experience and contacts to find fulfilling careers when they do return.