GRADUATES IN any discipline are being encouraged to apply for a new internship programme which will see them offered a minimum of three months work experience with one of the 24 companies shortlisted for this year’s Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
The internship is a new element to the global competition for entrepreneurs which is now in its 13th year in Ireland. Although the entrepreneurs are only committed to providing three months experience, the chosen graduates will have the opportunity to impress their chosen employer and possibly secure a full-time post.
The 24-shortlisted companies operate across a range of business sectors from healthcare to food production and from solar energy to hospitality. The internship is open to recent graduates as well as students entering their final year.
“This is not about entrepreneurs that just have PhDs,” said Frank O’Keeffe, partner in charge of the Entrepreneur of the Year Programme. “An awful lot of our entrepreneurs have effectively learnt their master’s through business so I would really encourage people who have that spark and that will to learn from business leaders to apply.”
Potential candidates can apply through the competition website (www.eoy.tv) where they can also view video profiles of the 24 companies. They can also learn about which business they might want to work with by watching three weekly programmes profiling the finalists which will be aired on RTÉ beginning on Friday, October 1st, at 7.30pm.
The series is being screened in the run-up to the televised awards ceremony on Thursday, October 21st, at which one winner will be chosen in each of three categories, emerging, industry and international – and the overall Entrepreneur of the Year will be named.
Applicants will have to choose one entrepreneur with whom they want to work and then submit their CV online, together with a 500-word pitch outlining what they think they can bring to that business. The closing date for applications is Friday , November 19th.
The EOY Internship Programme 2010 is a jointly sponsored initiative between the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Programme and Enterprise Ireland.
