7 finish TanHoldings internship

TanHoldings Corp. executives led by president Jerry Tan, third from left, join participants of the 2nd Annual TanHoldings Summer Internship Program in yesterday’s completion ceremony at Kanoa Resort’s Latte Stone Hall. (Jon Perez)

Seven youngsters were feted yesterday at the Kanoa Resort’s Latte Stone Hall to signal their completion of the 2nd Annual TanHoldings Summer Internship Program.

TanHoldings Corporate Affairs vice president Catherine Attao, considered as one of the brains behind the paid internship program, said that helping build the life skills of today’s youth is one of the goals of the program.

Attao said they came up with the program after thinking of how TanHoldings could help young interns experience the overall structure of the company. “We started with the program at Kanoa Resort last year and expanded it to seven other [business units] this year. We want to help their life skills and prepare them for the real world,” she said.

The interns were mentored by TanHoldings employees as they learned the daily operations of each business—Century Insurance, D&Q Saipan, Fiesta Resort & Spa-Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Let’s Go/Sea Touch, RMS, POI Aviation, and Saipan Tribune—in six weeks.

“Learning basic life skills like decision-making, problem solving, and critical thinking, would give them the confidence and good understanding of responsibilities when they enter the workforce through their chosen careers,” added Attao, who also supervised the program with Tan Holdings Community Relations director Carline Sablan.

TanHoldings president Jerry Tan congratulated all the interns for completing the program. “As some of you approach high school graduation and deciding what you want to do, the things you learned here are different from school.”

“Some of you might decide to go to college [off-island] or at [Northern Marianas College], go directly to the workforce, or join the military, there are many options. But it won’t be high school anymore,” Tan said.

“The ones in school and real work are different. The program would help you prepare in making that big transition in your chosen careers. One thing is for sure, learning never stops.”

TanHoldings senior vice president Eli Arago thanked all business units for the time they spent in training the interns despite their busy work schedules. “We all have our own work schedule but this is an important program for us. We are really thankful for your time.”

He reminded the interns to remember three things: “’Acquisition of knowledge, retention of knowledge, and application of knowledge.’ All must be present to see for you to learn something.”