Conyers ‘Covid Gap Year’ Student Interns
Conyers announced the five students who have been selected to be a part of its ‘Gap Year Student’ Internship Programme; Iannah Caines, Cree Dunn, Spencer Johnson, Micah Richardson, and Jesse Washington joined Conyers in October.
The firm decided to offer the student internship programme as a way to assist recent high school graduates or university undergraduates who had seen their plans for the 2020-2021 academic year disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each student has been placed in a different business services department of the firm, depending on their area of interest, where they will gain hands-on work experience for a period of six months.
Conyers ‘Gap Year’ Student Interns Jesse Washington, Iannah Caines, Micah Richardson, Cree Dunn, and Spencer Johnson
“Our primary goal for this program is to enable students to have an enriching experience while they wait to resume their studies. Providing high-potential young people with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the legal services industry is an important way to build the firm’s future talent pipeline,” said Lisa Spencer-Arscott, Global Head of Human Resources.
Iannah Caines and Cree Dunn graduated from Bermuda High School for Girls in May of this year and both are currently applying to university for the autumn 2021 semester.
Ms Caines, who has chosen to study Information Technology Management for Business, has joined the Technology Services department at Conyers. “I am keen to expand my knowledge of technology and its infrastructure and I am blessed to work with a wonderful team of professionals in the Technology Services department,” she said.
Cree Dunn has joined the Marketing department, working with the communications and business development teams. “I am excited to work alongside talented professionals, honing my skills while exploring the intricacies of law in Bermuda,” she said. “This internship is a stepping stone in my academic pursuits to earning my Bachelor’s in Journalism, Media and Communications, before attending Law school.”
Spencer Johnson graduated from Saltus Grammar School in 2019 and started a degree in English Literature at King’s College London. However, a severely disrupted first year led him to reassess his options, and from fall 2021 he will be studying Philosophy at the University of Exeter. His internship at Conyers is with the Finance department.
“Coming from a creative background, I sought to challenge myself by applying for this programme to work in finance,” he said. “I aspire to work in film production, and want to gain logistical knowledge in money matters. Working in the Finance department will offer me an invaluable level of insight and experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Micah Richardson graduated from Berkeley Institute in May and plans to study Environmental Studies at Mount Allison next fall. He has joined the Onboarding and Liquidations department, where he says he hopes to “gain as much experience as possible working for and around such knowledgeable individuals, who are assisting in furthering my skillset and future.”
Jesse Washington graduated from Warwick Academy in 2018 and was studying Major Markets and Culture at Southern Methodist University prior to the Covid-19 disruption. He will continue his studies at Southern Methodist University next fall. Mr Washington is working in the Compliance department.
“My experience so far has been great. The staff have been welcoming, knowledgeable and willing to help me when needed,” he said, “I am continuously gaining an understanding of the important work that Conyers does for their clients. I look forward to learning more about compliance and the regulatory requirements needed to conduct business in our jurisdiction.”
All of the interns expressed their thanks for the opportunity they have been offered.
“We are all grateful to Conyers for recognizing a need in our community and establishing this programme to provide vital work experience and employment for students unable to further their studies due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Cree Dunn.
Conyers, you need to look at your selection processes. Four out of five candidates from private schools looks like a lot of elitism. Surely you could have picked one or two more from the public school system.
Congrats to the interns – seize every learning opportunity! A huge THANK YOU to Conyers for offering such a program!!