73 interns energise CIBC Caribbean for the summer

The branches and offices of regional bank CIBC Caribbean have come alive with youthful energy as the bank welcomed 73 interns as part of its annual summer internship programme.

The students, drawn primarily from regional colleges and universities as well as those attending or accepted to colleges in the United States and Canada, will spend the next three months immersed in all aspects of the bank’s operations in Antigua, Barbados, The Bahamas, The Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The internship programme, which commenced on June 3 and will conclude on August 31, 2024, has students spread across departments and units in the bank such as Finance, Audit, Human Resources, Property Services, Personal and Business Banking, Technology, Infrastructure and Innovation, and Corporate Banking.

“CIBC is thrilled to offer our Summer Internship Programme to over 70 students this year. This initiative is a cornerstone in our suite of Early Career Programmes that support the development of talented young professionals. It truly is a testament to the quality of talent that exists across the region,” said Jewel Clarke, the bank’s Director of Talent Management and Employee Experience.

She said the bank’s “investment in our young professionals helps to support their development, provide meaningful experiences, and build skill sets that they can use in the future. The programme is intentionally designed to enrich their experience with exposure to senior leaders and networking opportunities.”

Clarke added that each year the bank also “welcomes returning interns whose trajectory to join the organization is very promising. Whether they join CIBC or contribute to another employer in the region, we are honoured to provide this experience to our young people. We see the value of this important programme and have seen it grow from 10 interns in 2016 to the viable programme that it is now in 2024.”

Aaliyah Adebukunola, a Computer Science Major at the University of Technology, Jamaica, said, “Honestly, I feel very fortunate to have received this internship opportunity at CIBC. It has been an invaluable experience that has allowed me to gain practical insights into the banking industry, especially from a technological standpoint. It’s very easy to overlook what goes into a single transaction as a customer. But when you are given the opportunity to work on the inside, it is so impressive to see how meticulous and complex these processes are (and have to be) in order to properly support CIBC’s everyday operations. I’m very grateful to have this new perspective.”

Adebukunola added, “My experience so far has honed my technical skills and understanding of industry best practices. It’s equipping me with the knowledge and confidence to contribute effectively to the field of banking technology in the future. Although I work on the backend and do not interact directly with customers, my role in application operations has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of technology in delivering seamless banking experiences.”

Jovae Wilson, a social media intern, shared, “The internship feels very rewarding. Working as a social media intern provided me with insight and a new perspective on customer service. I’ve also learned a lot about the inner workings of a bank and the many procedures put in place to ensure security, which I find fascinating. This internship program developed in me a new interest in banking. The different promotions and saving plan options, as well as the tight security offered by the bank, really make CIBC stand out amongst the competitors. I would definitely work here again if given the opportunity.”

Wilson further expressed, “The staff is very welcoming, the customers seem respectful and loyal to the bank, and I have encouraged a few friends to open accounts with CIBC after being made aware of the benefits that can be received. The culture of the company does feel warm and family-oriented, so I definitely would venture into the marketing aspect of banking. As an intern, it has been interesting getting to understand the different software and programs used. I feel like my contributions, although small, are not overlooked, and I feel as though I have assisted someone through customer service, and that in turn feels very rewarding.” 12 interns in Jamaica are currently benefiting from the summer programme initiative.