“WE are setting you up for success, but you must play your part.” That was the key message at the official launch of CIBC Caribbean’s 2025 summer internship programme, which welcomed more than 80 interns across eight territories, including a dynamic group of 13 university students at the bank’s New Kingston headquarters.

The programme, which forms part of the bank’s regional early career development strategy, places interns across departments including Risk, Compliance, Technology, Human Resources, Retail Banking, and Operations, providing hands-on exposure to the operations of one of the region’s leading financial institutions.

Annique Dawkins, head of country for CIBC Caribbean Jamaica, reminded the interns of their responsibility to make the most of the opportunity, and underscored the power of mentorship.

“Understand that you are the future of Jamaica. What you bring to us — and what you choose to do with this experience — will be valuable. I encourage you to make the most of it. Speak to people, learn how they work, and don’t be afraid to seek out mentors. Mentorship can come in many forms and will be essential not just for your professional growth, but also your personal development. We all have challenges, but with guidance and support, you can thrive,” she said.

Jerome Griffiths, head of human resources for CIBC Caribbean in Jamaica, echoed the sentiment, encouraging the cohort to be proactive.

“We are excited about giving our interns the opportunity to succeed, but they must also show up ready to learn and grow. You will get out of this experience what you put into it. We’re offering meaningful work where interns can apply what they’ve learned and contribute to real outcomes,” she added.

Already, interns have immersed themselves in the culture of the bank and are gaining valuable insight into their chosen fields.

Aalyah Adebokunola, a final-year computer science major at the University of Technology (UTech), is returning for her second summer.

“Compared to last year, this year has been much more hectic — but in a good way. My team is supportive, and there are many opportunities to network with other teams across the bank. Because of how central our unit is, we interact with a lot of different departments, especially within Technology,” she said.

For Zosha Chung, who’s entering her final year at the University of South Florida, studying business analytics and information systems and currently assigned to card disputes in the Operations Department, she said it has been insightful seeing what goes on behind the scenes to process transactions.

“Especially as someone who shops online a lot, I’ve learned so much about banking operations. Having worked in Florida, I expected the Jamaican work environment to be extremely rigid,” she said. “But CIBC surprised me with a professional, yet warm and collaborative space. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with my roots and grow through this experience.”

Nicholas Pitter, the only male intern in the Jamaica cohort and a third-year UTech student, is working with the Lending Operations team.

“Right now, I’m learning how loans are packaged and processed — including first-hand experience at the Half-Way-Tree branch. I’m meeting new people, forming bonds, and really enjoying what I’m learning. I hope to leave a lasting mark and hopefully return to the bank in the future in a bigger role,” he said.

The programme is a cornerstone of CIBC Caribbean’s commitment to youth development, nurturing future talent while creating bridges between academic training and industry practice.