QF: First Ever Online QFCRA Internship Puts Georgetown Students at QF on the Path to Career Success

Nine undergraduate students at QF partner Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) were chosen to pilot a six-week long online internship program at the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), gaining valuable hands-on work experience without ever setting foot in an office. The QFCRA, which is the independent regulator for the Qatar Financial Centre, developed the virtual internship prior to the pandemic, quickly becoming a timely model initiative when the crisis hit.

When the pandemic crisis created a shift to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus, the student interns were already working online. Head of International Cooperation at QFCRA Maryam Mohammed, who managed the project, said “At the Regulatory Authority, internships that train future leaders in the finance sector are an important effort in developing Qatar’s economy and a key driver of Qatar’s national development. Through the launch of our first online internship, we wanted to expand those opportunities, and to let high achieving students know that they can begin building their careers from anywhere.”

The first-of-its-kind internship was the result of a collaboration between Prue Morris, Managing Director of the Policy and Enforcement division, and Dr. Alexis Antoniades, Director and Chair of International Economics at Georgetown, who connected the QFCRA with students enrolled in his economics course. “For our future policy makers, lawyers, bankers, analysts, and researchers, this internship opportunity was an excellent way to gain valuable professional skills and job training at an institution that plays a complex and critical economic role both domestically and internationally,” explained Dr. Antoniades.

The nine students, working in a total of four cohorts, conducted research and analyzed the economic, political, and regulatory jurisdictions of QFC’s global business partners. Maryam connected online with each team weekly, to review their progress and to provide feedback. 

Third year International Economics major Abdul Rehmaan Qayyum decided to sign up for the internship to gain experience for a future career in finance. “This internship was the right fit for me because it required an interest in finance, and working knowledge of economics and politics, fields that are the focus of my degree. And I was sure I would receive unparalleled mentorship from QFCRA. It was a great experience that taught me a lot in terms of skills and knowledge.”

Prior to this innovative program, the two institutions have jointly collaborated on several in-person internships for highly qualified students. All QFCRA internships are supported by the Authority’s Al Masar (“The Path) Program, an award-winning, five-stage development program that focuses on developing talent within the organisation.