InterSearch Middle East Launches GCC Internship Program

InterSearch, one of the oldest and leading international executive search firm in the Middle East region, launched its first Graduate Internship Program during the summer of 2019.  This initiative is part of the organization’s goal in promoting diversity & inclusion by focusing on developing GCC national & Arab talent into the world of executive search.

The talent program was designed and inaugurated with the first intern, Sagah Radi, as a Human Resources Management student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, UAE. She was successfully chosen through the recruitment and assessment process to ensure a good cultural fit to the global organizations values and the students personal attributes to develop her potential in a fast paced and people focused environment.

After the successful completion of Sagah’s Summer Internship, the graduate program will now be rolled out regionally across InterSearch Middle East’s four offices in the GCC: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat & Riyadh, with a continued focus on local talent.

Sagah shares her Internship experience during the following Q&A’s:

How did the internship match your expectations, and what did you learn?

Coming into this position, I felt that I had no idea where my career was going and I lacked confidence about what I could do and what I am really good at. My internship has definitely given me a better understanding of my strengths, skill set and where my career may take me.

Since this is my first time working in the field which I studied, Human Resources, I was able to apply many things that I have learned from my University degree. The team at InterSearch kept giving me exposure to the HR industry and diversity of sectors which I was not aware of before.

Throughout this internship I was able to apply my organizational skills, time management, and team-working skills. Additionally, I got to learn how to use new software (Zawya, FileFinder CRM Database, LinkedIn Recruiter, etc.) as well as help draft various reports and client communication tools (Progress Reports, Job Profiles, Candidate Reports & Pipelines, Research Papers & Presentations).

What was your favorite part of the internship experience?

This whole experience has truly been amazing and so beneficial. The InterSearch family is filled with intelligent, diverse, committed, hardworking, experienced, reliable, helpful, fun, friendly, and organized people. This company has built a collaborative, motivating, rewarding, and engaging culture. I was treated just like the full-time associates and got my own tasks/ assignments to complete and helped out the BD team as well as the Researchers.

My favorite task during this internship was the Market Mapping Presentation for our General Manager in Oman, Daniel Robinson because I was able to choose my topic for the presentation and study the GCC market from a financial point of view.

My favorite memories are the conversations I get to have with the Research team between our tasks. The team were like my older sisters who supported, helped, and advised me all this summer while still having fun as we are completing our work.

Another part I thoroughly enjoyed was the exposure I got to learn and understand the Middle East market when it comes to the international and regional companies, since they are our clients. I also got to learn more about the senior level candidates that we work with and the steps they took to advance their career goals and reach to a high level.

What was your least favorite experience?

That is a hard question to answer! There was nothing that I would change about this whole experience besides the fact that I could not stay longer and learn more from the team.

What will be the memory that will mark the summer of 2019 for you?

This summer gave me the opportunity to get my first experience with an international company as a Research Associate; which was the perfect opportunity with a great platform to gain deeper insights into the Executive Search industry of Human Resource. I am now able to confidently define what I can do further more in my field.

InterSearch Middle East have taught me how everyone should be treated equally and there should be no discrimination at the workplace.  People diversity is key to a successful company.

If you would like to apply to the InterSearch 2020 Internship in one of our 4 GCC offices, please do not hesitate to submit your CV and reason for interest to the Head of Research, Anna Samih at a.samih@intersearchme.com

InterSearch Middle East is a member firm of InterSearch Worldwide, a partnership of executive search consultants with over 90 offices in 50+ countries.  InterSearch is amongst the top search firms globally and operates across all major industry sectors.  We are also one of the oldest search firms in the Middle East, since opening an office in 1998,  We partner with our clients to hire senior and mid level executives, managers, specialists and contractors in most disciplines. InterSearch is experienced, innovative and totally committed to our clients who gain competitive advantage by hiring the best people. For more information please visit our websites at www.intersearchme.com or www.intersearch.org