Students get taste of government career

(CNS): Lucille Williams-Fernandez (18) and Taylor Clarke-Wint (20) were trying out life working for government at the health ministry this summer. The government sector interns are both at university, one studying marketing and the other integrated health, and both have been rolling up their sleeves and getting into the thick of it. As minister responsible for youth as well as health, Osbourne Bodden said it was imperative to have the input of young people in government. "We must place young people in positions where they can be mentored, gain valuable employment in their field of study and let their voices be heard."

Lucille is a junior student at Stetson University in the USA and currently pursuing a major in Integrative Health Science. She said she enjoyed her experience at the Ministry, where her duties included lending support to the human resources and finance sections along with other projects within the Ministry.

“As a student looking towards a future career in medicine, my most memorable experience was attending a meeting on the Adolescent Health Study Report and being able to offer my opinion as a young person growing up in the Cayman Islands,” she said as her time drew to a close. “Being at the Ministry for the past month has taught me that not everything is as simple as it seems. There is a process for everything! I have also witnessed first-hand how the Ministry works for the people of the Cayman Islands – always keeping their best interest at heart.”

Meanwhile, Taylor who is enrolled as a third year student at Southampton Solent University in the UK with a major in Marketing with Advertising Management started this week said she was looking forward to understanding more about what the ministry does and how they go about contributing to society.

As a way to enhance employment opportunities for the Cayman Islands’ youth, the Ministry plans to continue these internships now and in the future. Both interns said they are grateful to government and urged other young people to take advantage of future internship opportunities.