CPI joins forces with AUD to provide internships

CPI's internship programme, which began last month, aims to develop local talent in the fields of Journalism, Marketing and Graphic Design by allowing students to experience first-hand what it's like working for a publishing company. The programme successfully builds a resource centre of students, whereby selected interns can be accepted on a permanent basis.

Currently, AUD students Rebekah Logan and Masarat Daud are working with CPI's News Team as junior reporters. They were chosen based on their skills and their past experience in journalism.

Commenting on her experience, Rebekah Logan said: "It's an environment that makes work great fun. The staff are very professional in their approach and work well as a cohesive team. The job in itself has given my career planning a complete turnaround, I now realise that being a journalist is what I want to do long-term."

Echoing her feelings, Masarat Daud felt that working at CPI has become a motivating factor in itself. Daud said: "I have just loved being here since day one because the office provides the perfect multi-cultural mix and everyone in the office promotes individualism. My long-term goal is to start my own business and I think my colleagues, especially Dominic [de Sousa] really support and encourage me in that respect."

Dominic de Sousa, CPI's Publisher and CEO, is clearly delighted with the performance of the interns.

"I felt a general need to guide students since many are just pushed into their career choices. Every industry sector, be it pharmaceuticals, automotive, IT or architecture has a media angle to it. There are no limitations and all you have to do is just think beyond the usual," he stated. "The interns have been a positive addition to CPI's News Team, primarily because they do not come with a preconceived disposition about the job. They have an open and intelligent mind and are assets to CPI."

Janine El Tal, Career Services Manager at AUD, said the internship programme is a very rewarding opportunity for both companies and students.

"In my experience, internships can only be a win-win situation for both students and companies alike. It is an ideal opportunity for companies to 'try- out' an intern without a long-term commitment, whilst students have the chance to experiment with career options. Rebekah Logan and Masarat Daud are true success stories, interning in a field of their interest to broaden their exposure and expand their options in their career planning," she said.

Given the positive response received from AUD, CPI now plans to extend its internship programme to other universities across the UAE in order to continue to motivate and groom the country's young local talent.