How CPI Nurtures Intern Talent: A Commitment to Excellence

We understand that internships are a crucial step in the career development of young professionals. They provide real-world experience, helping students and graduates bridge the gap between what they learn in school and what they will do in their careers. That’s why we are committed to offering a supportive and engaging work environment that avoids the common issues found in many internship programmes.

From an industry perspective, the Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers (AIPCO) emphasises the importance of that real-world experience for students. Both Nicky (our CEO) and Conor (Our Business Development Director) sit on AIPCO’s council and Conor highlights why internships and a connection to universities are so important to CPI

“There’s a recognition that many students learn about events but maybe don’t see a path to joining a PCO. CPI firmly believe that we need to help give students a real-life experience of what life in a PCO can be like. That only happens with tangible experiences where the students get the chance to make an impact, while being carefully supported. Fortunately, once people see the work that we do, many want to stay in the industry.”

Over the years, our internship program has welcomed students from a variety of institutions, including University College Dublin, the University of Galway, and Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest. To ensure our program’s success and provide valuable experiences for our interns, we adhere to a structured and effective set of guidelines.

Clear Direction and Mentorship

From day one, our interns are paired with experienced mentor from either our middle or senior management team. They are there to provide clear guidance and support throughout their time in the company. We ensure that every intern understands their role and responsibilities, and we are committed to their success by offering regular check-ins and constructive feedback. This approach helps our interns feel confident and valued as they navigate their projects.

Meaningful Responsibilities

We make our interns integral members of our team. We involve them in real projects that impact our business and allow them to apply their skills in meaningful ways. Whether it is crafting a social media campaign, answer delegate queries, or going onsite to a conference or event, our interns gain hands-on experience that prepares them for future careers in tourism industry.

Before an intern starts with our marketing team, we try to identify a conference or event they can take part in from start to finish. They have the opportunity to develop and execute the marketing strategy, applying the skills they learnt in collage in a practical way, all while receiving support and guidance from our experienced team.

Comprehensive Exposure

We believe in providing our interns with a holistic understanding of the conference and events Industry. Interns are invited to attend meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategy discussions. This comprehensive exposure ensures they gain insight into how project plans are developed and executed, fostering a deeper understanding of the industry.

My internship at CPI has been truly eye-opening, giving me experiences and insights that will shape my future career. Tackling each challenge with an open mind helped me grow professionally and showed me the importance of good communication and teamwork. I am confident that the skills and lessons I’ve gained here will be a strong foundation for my career. I encourage future interns to seize every opportunity to learn, as this mindset made my time at CPI incredibly rewarding.

Effective Communication

Our open-door policy encourages interns to ask questions and seek advice whenever needed, whether that is from their mentor or their colleagues. We prioritise regular one on one sessions to help interns understand their progress and areas for improvement. This transparent communication ensures that interns feel supported and motivated throughout their time with us.

Maintaining constant communication with my coworkers has been an incredible experience. I have learned so much so quickly thanks to how welcoming and open everyone has been. Good workplace relationships are vital to how fulfilled I feel after a day's work. Despite being a remote team, the daily efforts made by the DS team to create an environment of easy and flowing communication have been invaluable as I've settled into the job.

Recognition and Appreciation

We celebrate the achievements of our interns and ensure their contributions do not go unnoticed. Regular recognition and appreciation on team calls and meetings are part of our company culture, fostering a positive and motivating work environment.

Positive Work Environment

It is important to maintaining a professional and supportive company culture. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels respected and valued. This positive atmosphere helps our interns thrive both personally and professionally. When our interns start, meetings are scheduled with the different departments to ensure they meet and understand the different roles of the business. This also helps reduce feelings of isolation and makes interns feel more integrated into the larger team.

Continuous Learning Opportunities

Our commitment to intern development includes access to training sessions, workshops, and industry resources. We encourage our interns to take advantage of these opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills, ensuring they leave CPI well-prepared for their future careers. Internally we host several training sessions throughout the year for all employees. We also grant access to industry training, that our interns can take part in in-between their daily tasks.

Not only have I learned practical skills and been getting stuck in – CPI has helped me identify areas of marketing I enjoy the most. Through doing different aspects of marketing, I have learned my favourite part is the more creative, graphic design aspect – a module I never would have had the opportunity to do as part of my Bachelor of Commerce course. Overall, I am extremely happy in my internship with CPI, and have made some great friends as well, working with the CPI family, and look forward to the months ahead!

Continuation Beyond the Internship

We know that after their internship, many interns return to university to finish their degrees. We stay in touch with them, keeping track of their progress and supporting them as they continue their studies. When new job opportunities come up, we reach out to our former interns because we recognise their talent and want them back on our team. Whether it’s offering part-time jobs while they’re still in university or full-time positions once they’ve graduated, we’re committed to helping them grow and succeed.

During my internship I was given the opportunity to work in various teams across the company. From my time shadowing the various account managers across both CPI & EPI, I fell in love with program management and realized this was something I wanted to do in the future. It was after my internship when our CEO Nicky offered me the opportunity to continue in a part-time role until I completed my college degree that has now led me to the position I currently hold as an Account Manager for EPI. I’m very grateful for the opportunity my internship provided me and the various knowledge and skills I was able to develop as part of the initial development of my career.

We are proud of the talented students who have been part of the CPI team through our internship programme over the years. We are committed to continuing to provide these opportunities for all our future interns, helping them become future leaders in the conference and events industry. We invite aspiring young professionals to join us, take advantage of every learning opportunity, and contribute to our team.