Our ten interns have completed their 10 week summer internship at RUBIS Barbados’ head office. During this time they got some real-world experience in various departments, including Sales and Marketing, Operations, Legal, and Finance.
Here are some of their takeaways from the experience of being part of TeamRUBIS.
Amelia Mayers
My internship was an incredibly enjoyable experience, offering hands-on exposure to real-world applications of my studies. I learned valuable industry-specific skills, from technical processes to effective teamwork and communication. The experience also helped me understand the nuances of professional work culture and the importance of adaptability. Overall, it significantly enhanced my confidence and prepared me for future career challenges. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to intern in such a dynamic place, as it has provided me with invaluable experience and insights. This experience has significantly shaped my professional growth, and I appreciate the support and guidance I received throughout.
Lastly, I would like to thank Anette Shorey for choosing me to be one of this year’s interns and providing me with valuable knowledge and experience that I will never forget. I would also like to thank Justin Clark for his readiness to help and for supporting me tirelessly along my journey.
Quote: Very demure.
Kyla Deane
Over the past ten weeks, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a professional environment that challenged me to grow both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and I was able to gain some knowledge, especially in the corporate aspect of the legal field. I will always cherish the friendships and connections I have made during this time.
I would like to thank Dominique, Colleen, Marvalene and Anette for their support and guidance throughout this internship. Their willingness to assist with anything I needed and their encouragement to explore and learn were very beneficial to my development.
As I move forward, I will carry the lessons learned and the skills developed during this internship with me. I am eager to apply them in future endeavours and continue building on the foundation that has been laid here. I look forward to staying connected with the incredible people I have met along the way.
Quote: Very Mindful.
TaShauna Weekes
Firstly, thank you so much for the opportunity! I had an amazing experience during the internship. I learned so much, met lovely people, and made connections.
I came into the internship wanting to learn and experience the other aspects of marketing, as I had prior interest in digital marketing and social media. My favorite part of the internship was managing social media, coming up with content ideas, and seeing the videos come to light.
I had the opportunity to see the backend of the fuel-up promotion. I also participated in the administrative stuff: stamping invoices for approval, creating purchasing orders (POs), and transmittals. I got to see behind the scenes of photoshoots, I attended site specifics.
Lastly, I would like to thank Andrea, Mechell, and Ms. Shorey for the guidance and support throughout this entire internship. I’ve learned a lot at Rubis and will take everything with me through my future endeavours.
Quote: Very cutesy.
Jayden Griffith
During my time in the Rubis internship program, I was able to have many new and exciting experiences. In my first week, I met the other interns, and we toured the various Rubis facilities and were given fire safety and first aid training. I subsequently spent the duration of this internship stationed with aviation where I learnt about the daily operations and was even able to help refuel aircraft. My supervisor Renee Ward was able to give me great career advice and ensured that I had a good experience.
During this time, I was also able to form many connections, especially with the other interns who I now consider my friends. Overall, it was a great experience that I am happy to have been a part of and I want to especially thank Anette who worked tirelessly as the Intern Coordinator to ensure that the interns had a great experience.
Quote: Every story has to start somewhere.
Tower Lorde
My operations internship at Rubis Eastern Caribbean was transformative. I was deeply involved in projects that honed both my technical and soft skills, especially in refurbishing the inventory management room. I contributed to developing a digital tracking system and coordinating shelving and electrical upgrades, highlighting the importance of space optimization, meticulous planning, and teamwork.
Beyond the inventory project, I handled over 100 daily scheduling and customer service calls, ensuring timely 100-pound gas cylinder deliveries. This improved my multitasking, customer service, and data entry abilities. Additionally, working with technical teams on LPG cylinder installations and tank measurements provided valuable hands-on experience and deepened my operational knowledge.
One of the most rewarding aspects was contributing to safety improvements by developing and presenting a well-received safety enhancement document, which reinforced the value of proactive workplace safety and strengthened my commitment to creating safe work environments.
This internship reinforced the importance of adaptability, clear communication, and a proactive mindset. The diverse tasks I handled sharpened my technical skills and deepened my appreciation for operational efficiency and safety, boosting my confidence to tackle complex challenges in the future.
Quote: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Jordan James
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Rubis for granting me the opportunity to undertake this enriching internship. Throughout this experience, I have acquired invaluable skills that will benefit me as I advance through future professional endeavours. The Rubis staff was also exceptionally accommodating, ensuring a seamless transition for all interns. One of the most formative aspects of my internship involved a project in which I collaborated with my colleagues to develop a digital inventory system and design an inventory room for efficient supply storage. This teamwork not only highlighted the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to achieve a shared goal but also enabled me to refine my organizational and time management skills amidst a range of other responsibilities. Furthermore, I had the privilege of working with team members as I observed LPG cylinder installations with the technical team, assisted in refueling service stations and aircraft, participated in tank dips, and engaged directly with customers to address their inquiries. Once again, I am grateful to the Rubis team for this enlightening opportunity and for their warm welcome. I am eager to leverage the skills acquired during this internship as I embark on my future career path.
Quote: “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar
Samara Waithe
During this Rubis internship, I gained many impactful experiences and made many wonderful friends and connections along the way. From touring an oil tanker in the first week to embarking on a project to analyse Rubis terminal records on their new system, I have learnt so much about this company and the business world. Also, with the caring help of my supervisor, Chanelle Catwell, I learned about auditing and developed my skills in the field.
Lastly, I spent some time at Rubigas Depot where I made customer calls and logged trucking schedules. It was a lot of fun interacting with different people inside and outside of Rubis. The bonds that I have made with my fellow interns have been the highlight of my summer and I can truly say that applying for this internship was a great decision. I want to thank Rubis for this wonderful opportunity and more specifically, Anette who constantly worked hard to provide one of the best experiences.
Quote: Nothing will work unless you do.
Kenyon Connell
I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to intern with the Operations Department at Rubis Eastern Caribbean. This experience has been incredibly valuable, and I am grateful for the chance to learn and grow within such a dynamic organization.
I came into this internship with the aim of learning about the technical and operational aspects of Rubis due to my interest in engineering. I was able to learn some critical aspects of the process that allows Rubis to supply petroleum products to the island.
I had the opportunity to aid in LPG intake, confined space entries, and the assistance of maintenance technicians. I was also heavily involved in safety processes such as the review and editing of induction videos, the sorting of lost prevention observations, and the review of near loss incidents. I also experienced customer service and data entry duties during my internship.
I learned truly how thorough and important safety is within this sector and the importance of continuous learning in a fast-paced work environment such as Rubis Eastern Caribbean.
Thank you once again for believing in my potential and allowing me to be part of your team.
Quote: Inaction is the complacency that kills.
Nadia Bowen
This Rubis internship overall was a great experience because I got a taste of corporate life, and I was able to explore the field of procurement. This included being a part of the process of purchase orders, processing payments, and interacting with potential service providers. Additionally, I had the opportunity to be stationed at Rubigas Depot where I assisted in customer service, and that aided in the enhancement of my communication and problem-solving skills. One thing that stood out to me during this internship was the work environment at Rubis. The atmosphere among the employees is welcoming, friendly and closeknit, and reflected among this group of interns. Lastly, due to the interview and CV preparation session along with a mock interview, I came out of this internship not only with work experience but equipped to confidently approach future interviews.
Quote: “The right things come not late, but precisely when they’re meant to.”
Jadon Lucas
As my 10-week summer internship ends, I want to thank everyone who made this experience so valuable. This internship has been instrumental in enhancing my problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Throughout this period, I’ve had the opportunity to provide technical support, complete 71 Nitro upgrades regionally, and gain hands-on experience in client onboarding, Active Directory, help desk support, hardware troubleshooting, PowerShell, and printer support.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Odean for your exceptional guidance and support, and to Anette for your invaluable assistance and encouragement. I also want to thank the entire IT department for making me feel welcome and at home. Your mentorship has played a crucial role in shaping my career path, and I am truly grateful for the chance to learn and grow in such a supportive environment.
Thank you once again for this invaluable experience. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in the future.
Quote: Every expert was once an intern.