Internship Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
Organization Type: State Government
Policy Areas: Workforce development
“To make a positive impact in the lives of others!” has always been my guiding principle. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to bring this motto to life during my internship at the International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB Bank) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Imagine walking into a bustling office where every day is a new challenge and an opportunity to foster growth and development. Within the training and development branch, I developed and implemented training modules, conducted needs analyses, and facilitated workshops that significantly enhanced employee skills and productivity. Supported by the La Follette School Summer Public Affairs Learning Experience (SPLE) Award Program, this internship allowed me to put into practice the invaluable skills from my MPA program, particularly in policy analysis and public management. The experience highlighted the importance of tailored training programs and continuous learning. The collaborative culture at the International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB Bank), which fostered creativity and productivity, was a pleasant surprise and reinforced my belief in the power of teamwork. One day, while preparing for a workshop, I realized just how much my La Follette coursework had prepared me. Not only theoretical knowledge but also evidence based studies from courses like policy analysis and public management came to life as I identified skill gaps, designed training programs, and evaluated their effectiveness. This hands-on experience was invaluable, solidifying my interest in policy implementation and development, and emphasizing the significance of employee empowerment and organizational growth. I highly recommend this internship to future students for its hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply academic learnings in a real-world setting. Thank you, La Follette School, for the support, and the International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB Bank) for this transformative opportunity!