The Saipan Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Public School System, hosted the Cohort 1 End of Commitment Ceremony at Pacific Islands Club on Tuesday, July 22. The event celebrated the interns and industry partners whose collaboration and contributions made the Career Pathways Internship Program possible.
SCC photo
(SCC) — The Career Pathways Internship Program or CPIP prepares Public School System juniors and seniors with the skills and knowledge they need to confidently step into the workforce. In collaboration with PSS, the program helps students apply classroom learning in professional settings, providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build their network. Through this internship, students explore career pathways, gain valuable skills, and discover opportunities available right here in the CNMI.
Three months ago, on April 21, CPIP officially launched with Cohort 1 interns placed at their worksites across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
On Tuesday, July 22, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Public School System, hosted the Cohort 1 End of Commitment Ceremony at Pacific Islands Club. This special event celebrated the interns and industry partners whose collaboration and contributions made CPIP possible.
A total of 29 interns successfully completed their internships, including those who committed to three months (April 21 to July 21) and students from Tinian and Rota who participated through the NMTech summer program.
Notable attendees included Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, Dr. Jessica Taylor, PSS key management and other officials, SCC Board President Joe Guerrero, Vice President Dr. Joshua Wise, Secretary Ron Smith, Director Velma Palacios, and Director Nicole Babauta.
The ceremony also included a “Thank You” video from the interns and a special recognition segment honoring each participant’s commitment and achievements.
Jefferson Isaac, who interned at Marpac for three months as beverage merchandiser, reflected on his experience:
“I got to visit stores I’d never been to before,” he said, adding that one of the challenges he faced was “doing my work after school, when many kids would come into the store and make it hard for me. But still, I pushed through and got the job done.” He ended his message by recommending the program to his peers: “I’d recommend this to anyone. It’s a great way to meet great people and gain work experience. I wanted to work here at Marpac, but I’m not of age yet.”
This sentiment was echoed by all our students in their Thank You video. We are proud of the growth they achieved and look forward to seeing them excel in their future endeavors.
The event was a resounding success thanks to the strong partnership with Public School System, the support of industry partners, and the dedication of all 29 interns.
Looking ahead, CPIP will continue celebrating upcoming cohorts and commitment periods. Cohort 1 interns with six- and eleven-month commitments remain active, and Cohort 2 interns are now embarking on their three-, six-, and nine-month journeys.
A sincere thanks to all the industry partners that hosted these 29 students: NMTech, Saipan Humane Society, American Memorial Park, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Marpac; and the various Public School System Offices: Head Start Office, Commissioner of Education Office, Information Technology and Distance Ed Office, State Longitudinal Data System Office, Federal Programs Office, Finance Office, Procurement and Supply, State Infrastructure Technology Office, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Services, Student Support Services Office, Human Resource Office.
Interested industry partners are encouraged to reach out to our Chamber CPIP Internship Coordinator at r.ni@saipanchamber.org or call the Saipan Chamber of Commerce at (670) 234-7150 for more information.
About the SCC
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve its members as a resource, enhancing the quality of business and life on Saipan. Its vision is to create an island where businesses, families, and communities succeed as one. To learn more about the Saipan Chamber of Commerce got to www.saipanchamber.com/, call (670) 234-7150 or email contactus@saipanchamber.org/.
