DHAHRAN, 17 August 2006 — Amani A. Al-Amoudi is about to wrap up her first internship. And, she says, it has been an experience she won’t soon forget. “Now I have new self-confidence,” she said. “This is real life. This is what I wanted to learn when I applied.”
Amani, working with Saudi Aramco’s Medical Facilities Management, was among the 222 female and 508 male students participating in the Saudi Aramco Summer Student Program. “It was an excellent experience,” she said. And she wasn’t alone in her feelings.
The Summer Student Program is one of Saudi Aramco’s community outreach programs that reflect social responsibility and community concerns. Ten percent of applicants this year were accepted into the program.
Those who were accepted are now finishing nearly two months of professional experience. “I got a better idea about the application of my major and I now have clearer goals set for myself,” said Sadeem M. Kuwaiti, working in the company’s Communications Engineering and Technical Support division. “People were so supportive, all I had to do was listen.”
Abdul Aziz A. Al-Dossary, with Saudi Aramco’s Information Technology Customer Care, also commented on the professionalism he experienced at work. “We had to report everything we did, even though it’s a big company,” he said. “But I still learned a lot. They make sure the employee improves as he works, and with all the health facilities available to me, it became recreational as well.”
Other students also found the experience to be of personal benefit. “I discovered that what I learned in college is just a background for real life,” said Bedour A. Shaijy, from Saudi Aramco’s Applications Technology organization. “Here I learned real-life skills like how to communicate with people and work with them as a team, despite all our differences.”
Farah S. Al-Ghamdi, from the company’s Salary Administration organization, agreed with her. “People depended on me to deliver. I was an integral part of the team,” she said. “Because of that mutual connection we had, they treated me with respect, not just as a summer student.”
With most of the summer students, the professional skills they learned opened them up to more personal experiences. “When we worked, our supervisors let us be creative and give in our own input,” Amani said. “Their respect really boosted my confidence.”
Working in teams also made the students more aware. “We had to work with different people in all their circumstances. We had to be tolerant,” Farah said.
“I am grateful for the experience,” said Bedour. “I’d love to do it again. I hope to become a Saudi Aramco employee some day.”
