The Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and implemented by the American Councils for International Education has successfully provided internships for 70 undergraduate students majoring in business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects from Uzbekistan, offering opportunities in SMEs (small, medium-sized enterprises), local, and international companies, alongside weekly professional development sessions. The cohort culminated in a festive closing ceremony at the Wyndham Hotel in Tashkent on Friday.

The Young Professional Internships Program is built around the nexus of higher education, workforce development, 21st-century soft skills, and the cultivation of young Uzbekistani business professionals who will contribute to the ongoing economic connectivity between the United States and Uzbekistan. Sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, the YPIP program was conducted in Uzbekistan in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Over the past four years, 165 students have successfully completed the program.

For the 2024 cohort, out of 1,170 applicants, 70 outstanding finalists were selected. These individuals are smart, active, and goal-oriented, poised to become the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. Notably, 70% of the participants are from various regions of Uzbekistan. The 70 interns were placed in 30 host companies spanning various sectors, including international and local NGOs, fintech, marketing, engineering, and project management.

YPIP brings together several key stakeholders in Uzbekistan, including the American Chamber of Commerce, local Uzbekistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), young university students and recent graduates, and American business and entrepreneurship experts, to forge a professional and educational network that will strengthen U.S.–Uzbekistan relations through best practices in Western business and build a strong work culture within existing private SMEs.

During this summer cohort, participants strengthened essential skills such as research, data analysis, and accounting, as well as soft skills like interpersonal communication, intercultural teamwork, networking, and critical thinking. They learned to articulate the professional skills and goals they gained during their internships to prospective employers. Additionally, they learned business practices and culture, shared their experiences as a cohort, developed more sophisticated and focused career interests, and prepared for the global workplace.

During the program capstone, participants, divided by their host companies, delivered elevator pitches about their experiences with YPIP, showcasing the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the program.