As the new academic year begins, we reflect on our Internship eXperience Program (IXP).

IXP is a nine-week summer internship and this year 24 talented interns joined us for a transformative journey. Laying the groundwork for successful careers, IXP enables growth with these five elements: hands-on experience, professional development, cultural involvement, executive connections, and social engagement.

Hands-on experience

Interns apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world projects, working alongside experienced professionals in various fields. As a technology-driven organization, we encouraged interns to tackle practical tasks, leveraging various technology tools to sharpen their skills and foster interdepartmental collaboration. It bridges the gap between academics and professional work.

"The IXP offered me experience in IT support and software, giving me a real-world glimpse that was truly invaluable for my career goals." - Hugo Torres, IT Intern, Public Sector

Professional development

We hosted nine professional development sessions, led by CAI subject matter experts, aimed at equipping interns with essential skills for their careers:

Marketing yourself: personal branding and resume building
Understanding technology: trends, generative AI use, and cybersecurity
Communicating clearly: conciseness and data storytelling
Collaborating effectively: company culture and project management

Interactive demonstrations from various departments helped transition educational understanding to corporate use, ensuring interns are well-prepared for the professional world.

"I was encouraged to explore new business areas and apply my education to the human services field." - Declan Harper, Business Support Intern, Public Sector

Cultural involvement

Culture is crucial to an organization's success, and our IXP immerses interns in CAI's dynamic culture to nurture creativity and collaboration. Interns had the opportunity to engage with our different employee resource groups (ERGs), providing them a platform for networking, building camaraderie, and broadening perspectives. They also were able to participate in our Diversity Days events—featuring inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and well-being activities designed to educate and highlight the diverse backgrounds. These opportunities helped interns understand the broader impact of our work and foster a sense of belonging within our organization. Equipped with this outlook, interns are prepared to thrive in a diverse and inclusive work environment.

“I felt extremely valued and empowered to share new ideas and take risks. It was amazing to be a part of a larger community and welcomed as an equal.” - Ellie McNutt, Recruitment Marketing Intern, Talent Acquisition

Leadership connections

Encouraging relationships between interns and seasoned leaders manifests mentoring conversations that can impart career insights. With support from the CAI Executive Leadership Team, interns participated in 12 leadership connection sessions, engaging in open discussions and gaining career advice. These interactions also offered a glimpse into the strategic thinking and decision making of industry leaders.

"Everyone was very supportive. Connecting with many leaders and engaging in conversations answered many of my questions and boosted my confidence in the workplace." - Hubab Ali, IT Intern, Staffing

Social engagement

Beyond professional growth, IXP emphasized social engagement, building a community where interns could connect and collaborate in a remote setting. Through pre-program connections, social events, networking, and structured social media forums, interns formed lasting networks that will support their career journeys.

With access to the right development opportunities, everyone has the chance to excel and reach their full potential.

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