“I’ve never feared a challenge,” said 24-year-old Giovanni Lawrence, as he reflected on his journey from washing bounce-a-bouts for a neighbour’s business to becoming a branch accounts associate at National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited’s Constant Spring branch.
Lawrence enrolled at the University of Technology, Jamaica in 2018. That same year, he landed his first internship at NCB in the Payment Services Division.
“It was my first real exposure to the corporate world,” Lawrence reflected. “From day one, I knew I had to make the most of the opportunity and make a positive mark at NCB. I was determined to bring fresh ideas and contribute in a way that made the environment better, no matter where I was placed. While working with the marketing team, I volunteered with NCB Foundation, supporting with scholarship and grant applicants, to ensure the programme truly met the needs of our students in a real, tangible way. Every task, big or small, held meaning and substance for me, so I gave it my all every time.”
His second internship came in 2021, this time in the Group Marketing Division. “The marketing internship was a pivotal experience for me,” he shared. “I wasn’t just observing – I was meeting real deadlines and honing my focus on critical tasks. It didn’t feel like an internship at all; I felt like a permanent member of the team. I was sitting in meetings with executives, discussing big-ticket projects, and realising that my feedback mattered. They valued my input and made me a part of the conversation. That experience taught me how to navigate the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of corporate life, and it fuelled my passion for the financial sector even more.”
After making an impact with his second internship, Lawrence was offered a service contract as a junior merchant support officer, where he continued to build on the experience he had gained. In 2023, he transitioned into a role as an administrative clerk, further embedding himself within the organisation.
“Each role was a stepping stone,” Lawrence noted. “It was a chance to deeply understand the company’s bigger picture – its direction, its goals, its story. Working on the back end of the business gave me invaluable insight into how things really operated. I got to see where the company was headed and what it was striving to achieve. That knowledge helped me serve clients more effectively, because I understood what needed to happen on an operational level and how to communicate the company’s value.”
He continued, “It also taught me how to solve customers’ problems in a way that made sense for both them and the business. Had I started customer-facing, I wouldn’t have had this strategic understanding, or the ability to help drive the company forward with that insight.”
“Persons like Melissa Bradford-Britton, Monalisa Stewart, and Sheena West were instrumental in my journey,” Lawerence said, with gratitude. “They took the time to teach me the work thoroughly, guide me, and ensure I was on the right path. They were incredibly patient and always offered valuable advice. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
Today, Giovanni continues to make a meaningful impact within NCB and beyond. He volunteers annually with the NCB Foundation, participating in initiatives like Read Across Jamaica Day and beach clean-ups. This year, his journey came full circle when he was invited to be the guest speaker at the orientation session for the 2024 cohort of interns.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to give back and inspire the next generation,” Lawrence said. “I know the value of those early experiences, and I want to remind them that they, too, must take the opportunity of an internship to put their best selves forward, and make their own positive mark wherever they go.”
Michelle McIntyre Plummer, talent manager at NCB, also noted, “We believe in nurturing the talents and aspirations of our interns, ensuring they excel in their chosen professions. Their development at this stage of their career is crucial to us, and for over 40 years, our internship programmes have positively impacted many lives. We are dedicated to our purpose and committed to delivering on our promise to help them reach their highest potential by fuelling their passion and enabling them to build their communities.”
For more than 15 years, NCB has offered its annual Summer Internship Programme, giving students from universities across Jamaica the opportunity to immerse themselves in various areas of the business. This year’s interns got the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects and tasks, gaining valuable insights into the banking and financial services industry. According to McIntyre Plummer, the programme is designed to challenge and inspire participants, fostering an environment where they can learn from experienced professionals.