Student internships help set course for digital future
CAREERS in digital are on the cards for 11 local sixth formers and other students who got involved in this summer’s first Discover Digital internships.
Under the scheme, organised jointly by the Digital Greenhouse and Startup Guernsey, students had five weeks’ paid work on digital projects over the summer holidays with a number of leading local employers.
More than 70 young people expressed an interest in the scheme, 42 actually applied – not all were studying computer courses – and 11 secured a place following interviews.
Some were based with one employer throughout the five weeks, while others moved around different employers for a week at a time.
‘We really wanted to match up what we know our companies are looking for in digital expertise and to give the students the chance to learn more about the workplace.
‘From our perspective it was a win-win,’ said Jennifer Strachan, executive director of Startup Guernsey.
Employers offered a different range of projects and challenges for the students and some were so impressed they offered the students university bursaries at the end of the placement.
It is intended that the scheme will run again next summer, with more employers already expressing an interest in getting involved.
‘Our current employers are acting as ambassadors to encourage others to get involved,’ Mrs Strachan said.
Lucy Witham, education development officer for learning technology at the States of Guernsey, said the internships had provided great opportunities for young people to get ‘hands-on experience in cutting-edge digital companies’.
She said that the scheme had two key drivers for students – to influence subject choices for younger students, and to encourage university students to consider an immediate return to the island, stimulated by the range of challenging work available from forward-thinking companies.
‘From a government perspective the challenge is how can we create great programmes which support local industry and have the best interests of young people at its heart and bring this together to create the very best outcomes for both.
‘We hope that we achieved that and both employers and the young people had a really positive experience.’
