For two young women, the months of July and August offered more than a summer internship. Their time at the Parastatal Monitoring Department (PMD) provided an opportunity to step beyond the classroom, experience a professional environment and gain first-hand insight into the work of the public service.
Kerchauna Mesmin and Khloe Charles joined the PMD as interns as part of the Department’s educational campaign to introduce young people to its work and give them greater awareness of the role of government and statutory organisations. During their internship, the students assisted with filing and other administrative duties while being given opportunities to research, learn about and present on several areas of public administration. Their assignments included presentations on the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) and public debt management, including the Public Debt Management Regulations, 2026.
Through their work, the interns gained exposure to the important role played by organisations such as SSDF, including its programmes supporting vulnerable individuals and families in areas such as education, housing, employment and social assistance. They also explored the importance of monitoring, evaluation and the use of data in strengthening the management of social programmes.
Their work on public debt management provided another dimension to their learning, introducing them to the framework governing government borrowing, public debt reporting and recording, debt-management strategies, government securities, guarantees and on-lending.
For Kerchauna, the opportunity to research and present on SSDF was one of the most valuable aspects of the internship. In her evaluation, she noted that the experience allowed her to gain practical knowledge in a professional environment while participating in different activities and assignments. She identified the SSDF presentation as the assignment that contributed most to her learning and said the internship helped her strengthen her communication, research, presentation, teamwork and time-management skills.
The interns were not confined to the office environment but were also afforded opportunities to participate in external meetings, accompanying the Permanent Secretary and senior staff members on visits to various parastatal entities. One such visit was to The Allied Health Council, which was of particular interest to one of the interns and provided a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the operations of the entity.
The experience also gave the interns an opportunity to appreciate the connection between classroom learning and the workplace. By conducting research, preparing presentations, managing assignments, attending meetings and interacting with Department staff, they were able to develop skills and confidence that will be valuable as they continue their educational and professional journeys.
Kerchauna particularly highlighted the support provided by the PMD team. She noted that staff and supervisors were consistently available to ensure that she had what she needed to complete her assignments and understand the tasks given to her. She also expressed appreciation for the guidance, experiences and friendships developed during her time at the Department.
At the conclusion of the internship, the PMD hosted a special lunch for Khloe and Kerchauna and presented each with a gift as a token of appreciation for their contribution to the Department.
For the PMD, the internship was about more than providing young people with work experience. It was an opportunity to open the doors of the public service, allow students to see how a government department functions and expose them to areas of work they may not otherwise encounter.
Reflecting on her experience, Kerchauna expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the internship gave her valuable knowledge and skills while providing a better understanding of working in the public service.
For two months, the PMD became a classroom of its own, one where Khloe and Kerchauna could ask questions, conduct research, make presentations, work alongside professionals and take their first steps into the world of work. Through initiatives such as this, the Public Service continues to create meaningful opportunities for young people to learn, grow and prepare for the future.
