Five college students from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), studying abroad and locally, were recently welcomed to the FortisTCI family. Demetrio Quant, Angelique Pereira, Gabriel Saunders, Jonathan Chan Jon Chu, and Miquel Swann, were each selected to participate in this year’s FORTISTCI Student Summer Employment Programme (SSEP), which will last for an 8 week period through August.
As college interns at FORTISTCI, they will have the opportunity to experience a professional working environment at a well-established international business. The Company anticipates that this exposure will help the students develop skill sets in their particular area of study and introduce them to the opportunities available in the energy sector.
“We are impressed with this year’s group of interns and the varying scholastic backgrounds that they have. This year’s selection process was fairly tough, and we know that as each year passes, selections will only become tougher as more students apply. We are excited to get to know the students in this year’s program, and wish them a summer filled with learning new things,” said Vice President of Human Resources, Finance & CFO Ruth Forbes.
Demetrio Quant is a 22-year-old who is currently studying Electrical Electronic and Power Engineering at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Demetrio is working within the Energy Production and Project Planning Division. He said, “I am currently working with the mechanics, and have been observing the maintenance of the generators on a daily basis. Upon completion of my degree, I want to join the FORTISTCI team full time and help in the development of both the Company and my Country.”
Angelique Pereira, a 19-year-old who recently completed a two-year Associates Degree in Business Accounting at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, is working in the Customer Service Department within the Customer & Corporate Services Division. A part of her responsibilities include responding to customer inquiries and managing customer accounts. Angelique said, “I applied to intern with FORTISTCI because I was interested and eager to develop my communication, organization, and numeracy skills. I want to obtain my Bachelors and MBA abroad, and then return to the Turks and Caicos Islands to serve as a Certified Public Accountant,” she said.
18-year-old Gabriel Saunders is studying Business at the University of Waterloo. He is currently working with the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department within the Transmission and Distribution Division. “So far I have conducted research, calculated costs, participated in a business conference call, and started reconstructing a business case that will be presented to the CEO of FORTISTCI. My long term goals include getting an MBA,” said Gabriel.
Jonathan Chan Jon Chu, an 18-year-old Economics student at Saint Leo University in Florida, USA, is working with the Innovation Resource Planning (IRP) Department within the Executive Services Division of FORTIS TCI. His responsibilities include helping to build presentations, working on business continuity plans, and researching environmental measures that FORTISTCI can adopt. “My long-term goals entail returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands to help develop the Country,” Jonathan said
Meanwhile, Miquel Swann, a 27-year-old attending Newman University in Wichita Kansas, is majoring in Accounting, with a minor in Information Technology. He is currently working with the Finance Team within the Human Resources, Finance and Information Technology Division. “I believe that FORTISTCI sticks with their mission, to retain the best in the country. While here, I hope to re-affirm my love for accounting and finance. I also have a strong passion and desire to give back to the local community. Upon my return, I plan to teach at least one class per semester at the community college; helping to mold the next generation of Turks and Caicos Islanders in business, accounting, and finance,” said Miquel.
We do wish them all, the very best.
