It is that time of the year again when universities shut their doors for the summer and students are free from text books and assignments until the autumn. However, for a select motivated few, the hard work does not cease. Some students use the summer as an opportunity to gain practical experience by working, otherwise known as internships or work experience.
Some companies recruit student interns through partnerships with universities as part of corporate social responsibility. "We need to make sure we reach out to the community and express our belief in the youth," said Eyad Shehabi, chief executive officer of Smartworld — a regional Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services provider. Smartworld has partnered with the likes of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Zayed University and Dubai Men's College. "We [businesses] need to make sure we deliver a sound workforce not only we can use, but the entire market can benefit from," he added.
A valuable experience
Shehabi said fresh graduates in the UAE are usually at a disadvantage, because their practical experience does not match the requirements of the market. "[And] today with the current economic downturn they really don't know what to expect so they [graduates] are at an extreme disadvantage," he said.
"Businesses should be encouraged to bring value to the community and society through providing internships," said Shehabi. "Students are faced with many challenges, so the least we [as businesses] can do is help them bypass some of these challenges…I know I valued the experience I gained as an intern," he added.
Though some companies are actively recruiting student interns, it is up to the students themselves to make the most of the opportunity and get engaged.
"As an intern, you have to beg for work to be given to you. It doesn't matter how much you nag, you must do it because when employees are busy they don't have time to teach you," said Diana George, a former intern who is now employed with an international advertising agency.
While working in the office may not seem very interesting, there's actually a lot to learn from sitting at the desk, Gareth Warren said.
Warren is a media and mass communication student at Middlesex University in Dubai and has been interning at a corporate communications company for about six months. At Fifth Ring, he has worked in fashion brands, oil and gas companies and restaurants.
He's gained a lot of insight into women's fashion that he hadn't been exposed to before. "It's fun, I actually know what a clutch is now!" he said.
Interning with a purpose
Mona Arif, an international studies student from AUS, is travelling to the US in July for the internship of a lifetime. For six weeks she will be working as a researcher with Carnegie Endowment (CE) for International Peace in Washington DC. CE is a non-profit think tank dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting international engagement by the US.
"It's a big deal, but I hadn't heard of it until I did some research," she said. However, once selected for the internship her professors said: "You just don't say no to Carnegie," she said.
Arif will hone her skills in the organisation's Arab Reform Bulletin — an interactive online journal covering political, economic and human rights developments in the Arab world. "Going to events and writing news reports is one of the most exciting parts of the internships," she said. "I'll also get to represent Middle Easterners and change stereotypes about Arabs," added Arif.
Walking on the wild side
Susanne Vorbrüggen landed an internship at Dubai Falcon Hospital (DFH) two months ago. She came face-to-face with various wild animals during her stay. A recent graduate from the University of Leipzig, she is working on her doctoral thesis in Germany. During her four-week internship, Vorbrüggen gained hands-on experience, assisting in surgeries, vaccinating cheetahs and learning how to deal with other wild animals.
"I enjoyed every day at the hospital — every day was a new experience — especially with the wild animals," she said. "In Germany I don't see any cheetahs or gazelles," she added.
The DFH is no typical veterinary clinic as it specialises in dealing with animals belonging to the royal family and private zoos in the region. However, the hospital seems to only receive interest from international interns said Dr Tom Bailey, a veterinarian at DFH.
Annually, more than 40 students from various countries around the world apply for internships with DFH, said Bailey. He added that locally trained veterinarians are few and far between.
"Unfortunately there isn't a pool of local trained students in the veterinary field," he said. "The reality is that it's very expensive to produce veterinarians. It's a long training process and maybe the population of the UAE is not large enough to have a veterinary faculty," he added.
However, DFH is always looking for self-motivated interns said Bailey. "We're looking for people who are going to use what they learn here," he said. "Interns get lots of practical experience here and we get an extra pair of hands," he added.
Internship tasks range from dealing with falcons and wildlife patients, to observing laboratory work and conducting research projects.
She's a natural
Kainat Abbasi, an environmental science student from AUS, is interning at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Dubai. Abbasi is working alongside people passionate about conserving wildlife and promoting sustainability. WWF is said to be the world's largest independent conservation organisation. The Dubai branch, in association with Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), initiates and implements conservation and educational projects in the region.
"It's a really big deal to work here," she said. Having only been there a week, she has already dug deep into research for upcoming projects. "It's really amazing how extensive their work is," she added.
Abbasi hopes to gain full-time employment at the end of her six-week internship. "I want to work with WWF mostly because the organisation is really trying to make a difference in the UAE, plus I like Dubai too," she said.
Nessrine Al Zahlawi echoed the same sentiment. She interned with WWF a few years ago and is now employed at the Dubai office. "I got great insight being involved behind the scenes, planning and coordinating events," said Al Zahlawi.
Companies offering internships:
For bookworms:
The Old Library, part of the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) in Mall of the Emirates is looking for volunteers to help in loaning and putting away books. However, interested parties must be members of the library to volunteer. An annual membership costs Dh150. For more information email: theoldlibrary@hotmail.com
For philanthropists:
To work with a non-profit organisation and be part of nature conservation programmes in the UAE, email: akumar@ewswwf.ae at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Students from various disciplines can also apply for volunteer positions. Visit www.uae.panda.org
Palestine Children's Relief Fund, the UAE chapter is looking for volunteers to visit patients or help out with activities. For more information contact Rama Chakaki on rama@pcrf.net
Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai is a non-profit organisation, running a programme using horse riding as therapy for children with autism and other disabilities. It is run entirely by volunteers so help is always welcome. For more information email lessons@rdad.ae or manager@rdad.ae
For the suited and booted:
Smartworld is a regional Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services provider. Students who wish to know more about their summer internship and training programme can send their queries to Shurooq.altaher@smart-world.ae
International advertising agency TBWA/RAAD is looking for interns and fresh graduates with majors in advertising, mass communication, graphic design, marketing and business administration. Visit www.tbwaraad.com for more information.
Fifth Ring is a corporate communications company offering internships from its public relations division to its digital design department. Visit www.fifthring.com or contact annette@fifthring.com
Global Management Consultants is a recruitment, training and human resources company. They have internship vacancies and partnerships with various universities. For more information contact Alveena Javed on info@global-dubai.com or visit www.global-dubai.com
For creative types:
X-Architects is an architectural firm in Dubai. They are looking for designers with a degree in Urban Design or Architecture. Visit: www.x-architects.com, email hr@x-architects.com
For animal lovers:
Dubai Falcon Hospital is looking for veterinary students for their internship programme. Interested applicants should apply by March 2011. Visit www.dfh.ae
Fatima Mulla is a mass communications major at the American University of Sharjah
