Young Professional Internships Program

The Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) provides summer internships, networking, and mentorship for Uzbek students to gain professional business and STEM skills in a real-world environment. The program offers undergraduate business and STEM majors (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) with transformative internships at small and medium-sized businesses in Uzbekistan.

YPIP likewise provides business mentors as a built-in support system intended to maximize the internship experience and provide a meaningful, positive experience for participants.  Through a robust program of professional development, interns will gain practical work experience and a greater understanding of international business practices as they prepare to enter the competitive 21st-century workforce. 

Finally, YPIP provides the opportunity for interns to work within a cohort, participate in professional development events, engage with industry leaders, and enter into a valuable network of peers. 

For host organizations, YPIP provides the opportunity to host motivated, English-speaking talent over the summer. Interns can provide flexible short-term support for tasks, allow junior staff to gain leadership experience, and bring fresh ideas into the organization. By hosting interns, organizations also have the opportunity to develop internal business culture, gain credibility within domestic and international business communities, network within the local business community, and even establish a pipeline for recruiting new talent into the organization through an exclusive network of participants and host organizations.

Selection

Applicants to the Young Professional Internships Program undergo a competitive selection process including an online application as well as interviews with representatives of American Councils and potential host organizations. Only current full-time undergraduate students in good standing at their host universities are eligible to participate.

Following their online application, a shortlist of candidates are interviewed by a selection panel of American Councils representatives. Following interviews, American Councils works to match semi-finalist candidates with one or more potential host organizations. Potential placements are determined based on company profile, needs, expectations, and the candidate’s career interests. Semi-finalist candidates then interview with their potential host organization. American Councils strives to provide dedicated internship placements tailored to fit the interests and goals of the interns. Final placements are determined following interviews with potential host organizations.

Finalists receive a modest stipend to support their travel and living costs in Tashkent.

Eligibility

• Commitment to a career in business or STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics);

• Present enrollment at a higher education institution in Uzbekistan or anticipated graduation in May 2024;

• Current residency in Uzbekistan;

• Proficiency in English;

• Citizens of Uzbekistan.