Finding a job as a student is not the easiest, with no experience and little to no qualifications, jobs are limited. Luckily, summer internships or apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door if you have a particular career in mind. If you intern for a couple of summers with the same company and it works out to be a good fit for both you and the company then a job prospect after graduation might be more easily forthcoming. Alternatively, internships are a great way for you to discover if you would enjoy working in an office or maybe a more rewarding career could be protecting Bermuda’s reefs at the Aquarium. Whatever you decide internships can help find out what path works best for you. Apprenticeships provide a great way to gain experience in a new field, potentially gain qualifications and usually provide the one-on-one tutoring that will help you excel in the chosen profession.
Internships
During the summer many internship positions become available with insurance and reinsurance companies offering programmes along with the big accounting firms on the island. If sitting in an office doesn’t sound the ideal summer for you then the list doesn’t stop there as the Bermuda Aquarium, BIOS and Dolphin Quest also look for summer students.
For an introduction into Insurance/Reinsurance take a look at The Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies. BFIS offers internships that typically will begin in June and July with students either spending time in London and Bermuda during one programme with the other being in Atlanta and Chicago. 16 students are selected and they participate in a structured programme learning about all aspects of insurance whilst also meeting professionals within the industry. See below link for more information.
To see what a career in Accounting may be like we suggest looking at the big four firms that each offer summer internships: PWC, Deloitte, EY or KPMG
Apprenticeships
If none of the options above are appealing, there are also more hands on jobs you can apply for through the Bermuda Government Apprentice Programme run by the National Training Board. Working with local employers and the Bermuda College the National Training Board offers 14 apprentice programmes in occupational areas as follows: Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology, Carpentry Technology, Motor Vehicle Mechanics Technology, Electrical Wiring, Horticulture, Plumbing Technology and Masonry/Contstruction. To learn more please see The National Training Board website.
Scholarships
There are over 100 Scholarships available to undergraduate and graduate students in Bermuda, ranging from grants to full scholarships, there is great opportunity to help finance your way through your educational studies. To see if one might be suited for you please click on the Bermuda Scholarships website.
Thank you letters
After any internship, job interview or scholarship interview it is important to take the time to express your thanks by writing a letter or composing an e-mail. A handwritten note may seem old fashioned but it does show that you have taken the time and effort to offer a sincere thank you. The letter or e-mail doesn’t need to be long, but by writing one you will separate yourself from the other candidates who chose not to write thank you letters. To make sure you stay on the interviewers mind write the letter or e-mail within 24 hours of the interview. Not sure how to write one? Take a look at the sample letters below:
Job Interview thank you letter sample
Internship interview thank you letter sample