Young Professional Internships Program

🗣 Highlights from the First Professional Development Session of YPIP 2026: "Expectations for Internship" On June 8 and 9, participants of the Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) attended the program’s first professional development session, "Expectations for Internship," led by Maksim Kim. The session included interactive activities and practical discussions focused on: 🔹 Understanding company culture and workplace expectations 🔹 Building effective relationships with supervisors and colleagues 🔹 Setting clear professional goals and taking initiative 🔹 Expanding professional networks and making the most of internship opportunities Participants also discussed common internship scenarios and explored practical strategies for responding constructively to workplace challenges. ℹ️ Maksim Kim is the Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L) at the American University of Technology (AUT). A certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with a Master’s in Global Education Leadership, he leads continuing education initiatives, corporate training partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration. Maksim is an alumnus of the Global UGRAD Program and has previously worked at WIUT, American Councils, and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Pre-School and School Education. 📌 Young Professional Internships Program is funded by the U.S. Embassy Tashkent and implemented by American Councils for International Education

🎉 YPIP 2026 has officially launched! On June 5, we welcomed 120 outstanding finalists to the Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) 2026 cohort in Uzbekistan. For six years, YPIP has supported 250+ alumni in gaining real-world experience, growing professional networks, and building careers in business and STEM. This summer, participants will intern with leading institutions like Coca-Cola Uzbekistan, Unilever, ACWA Power, and IT Park Uzbekistan. The months ahead promise hands-on learning, mentorship, company visits, and more. We look forward to seeing all that this cohort will achieve. Welcome to the YPIP community! #ACGlobal #YPIP2026 #WeAreYPIP #YoungProfessionals #InternshipProgram

🌟 FLEX & YPIP Alumni Meetup Highlights 🎓 On April 24, alumni of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) came together for a joint meetup. The session was also joined by Lisa Choate, President of American Councils for International Education. The meetup started with an interactive ice-breaking session, where participants introduced themselves and shared how their programs shaped their personal and professional journeys. The main workshop, led by Ulugbek Baymuradov (FLEX 2003, Stanford 2010), introduced the basics of how AI models work. Using satellite nightlight data, he demonstrated how machine learning, particularly convolutional neural networks, can analyze images to identify patterns and make predictions, such as estimating population or distinguishing regions. By the end, participants gained a clearer, practical understanding of how AI models are built and applied using real-world data. The event concluded with a coffee break, offering space to network, exchange ideas, and build new connections 🤝 #FLEX #YPIP #AlumniMeetup

We’re continuing our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Introducing Lazizbek Kahramonov, a YPIP 2021 alumnus! Lazizbek joined YPIP in the summer of 2021 after his junior year at INHA University in Tashkent. He completed his internship at Novalab Tech as a Software Engineer, where he took his first step into the IT industry and continued building his career even after the internship. Today, he works as a DevOps Engineer at Snoonu.com, Qatar’s first unicorn. He shares that YPIP played a major role in shaping his career path by providing real-world experience and connecting him with a network of outstanding and supportive individuals.

“YPIP gave me the opportunity to start my career and become part of a strong community that continues to support me. Especially in today’s rapidly evolving IT job market shaped by AI advancements, it is one of the best ways to take your first step into the industry, don’t miss your chance.”

📌 Stay tuned for more inspiring alumni stories! #YPIP_alumni

Continuing our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Introducing Albina Kholieva, a YPIP 2024 alumna! Albina completed her YPIP internship at the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, where she worked in the marketing department. During her internship, she gained hands-on experience in promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential both locally and internationally, allowing her to connect her academic interests with real-world practice. Following the program, Albina continued her academic journey and is currently studying Sustainable Tourism and Global Challenges at the University of Glasgow as a Women in STEM program scholar. She shared that her YPIP experience played an important role in shaping her career direction and making her studies more meaningful and applied.

“YPIP gave me real-world experience, helped me build meaningful connections, and made me more confident about my future career path. The network I built continues to support and motivate me both professionally and personally.”

📌 Stay tuned for more inspiring alumni stories! #YPIP_alumni

Next in our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Meet Temur Isroilov, a YPIP 2021 alumnus! While studying at the Samarkand branch of Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Temur joined YPIP to gain practical experience alongside his academic journey. Through the program, he secured an internship in Tashkent at Super Dispatch as an Android developer, where he strengthened his technical skills and learned industry best practices in a real work environment. Following the program, Temur continued to grow in the field and is now working as a Middle+ Developer at Uzum Market, one of Uzbekistan’s leading tech companies.

"YPIP provided the foundational internship experience that launched my career in Uzbekistan's top IT companies."

📌 Stay tuned for more inspiring alumni stories! #YPIP_alumni

Next in our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Meet Zebokhon Makhmudjanova, a YPIP 2024 alumna! Zebokhon graduated with a degree in Economics with Finance from Westminster International University in Tashkent and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Intelligence and Analytics at the same institution. During YPIP, she interned at Palladium International, where she supported 56 USAID-funded business projects as a finance intern, gaining hands-on experience in financial operations and project support. Following the program, she continued to grow professionally and was offered the role of Director at American Center Tashkent, a public diplomacy initiative of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan implemented by American Councils for International Education.

“This program has connected me to a powerful global network and diverse career opportunities available to me at any time, anywhere in the world.”

📌 Stay tuned for more inspiring alumni stories! #YPIP_alumni

🌟 YPIP Alumni Meetup Highlights 🎓 On April 4, YPIP alumni came together for an engaging meetup and workshop with Sevara Ibrokhim, a UBL’22 alumna and Founder & CEO of Bukhari Creative Group. During the session on Effective Networking Strategies, participants explored why networking matters, how to build a professional brand, and practical ways to connect and stay in touch. The session also included a pair activity where alumni practiced their elevator pitches and learned from each other. Sevara shared insights from her own experience, showing how networking can lead to new opportunities and meaningful connections. As always, the meetup was a great chance to reconnect, meet new alumni, and keep growing together 🤝 Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) is funded by the U.S. Embassy Tashkent and implemented by American Councils for International Education Uzbekistan. #YPIP #AlumniMeetup

Next in our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Meet Jamshid Farkhodov, a YPIP 2025 alumnus! Jamshid is an economics and management graduate of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies and currently serves as Director and co-founder of Handex - Accessibility Startup. During YPIP, he had the opportunity to intern at C-Space Startup Center, where he gained valuable hands-on experience in management and the startup ecosystem. Following the program, he achieved several important milestones, including working as a coordinator at CS// Angels School and then becoming a winner of the President Tech Award, both of which he credits to YPIP’s strong support and thoughtful company matching.

“For me, YPIP was a milestone where I took significant steps toward a professional career in entrepreneurship and startups”.

📌 Stay tuned for more inspiring alumni stories! #YPIP_alumni

We’re continuing our YPIP Alumni Stories series! 🎓 🌟 Meet Malika Akhmadova, a YPIP 2024 alumna! Malika holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and is currently pursuing her Master’s at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT). She completed her YPIP internship at ERGO Analytics in 2024, where she gained valuable practical knowledge and hands-on experience in her field. Through the program, she strengthened her professional skills and built confidence that supported her next steps.

“After YPIP, I founded my own company, ERGO EDU, where I currently work as a Director.”

📌 Stay tuned to discover more inspiring stories!

We’re excited to bring back our YPIP Alumni Stories series!🎓 Meet Shakhzodbek Samandarov, a YPIP 2023 alumnus! Shakhzodbek graduated from the Technical Faculty of Urgench State University with a degree in Engineering and joined Juru in June 2023 as a YPIP intern, and has since grown into his current role as a Project Coordinator and Transmission Line Engineer in the Sustainable Energy team. During YPIP, he developed strong teamwork and communication skills, gained hands-on experience in engineering workflows, and benefited from mentorship sessions that helped shape his professional mindset and career path. Today, he continues to grow within the company while contributing to large-scale energy infrastructure projects.

"YPIP opened the door for me to start my engineering career at Juru and grow as a specialist in the energy sector".

📌 Stay tuned to discover more stories of success! #YPIP_alumni

Congratulations to the YPIP semifinalists who are moving forward to the next stage! 🎉 As we move into the internship placement stage, now is a great time to review and update your CV. In this post, we’ve shared a few tips to help you present your skills and experiences more clearly to potential host organizations. These tips may also be helpful for anyone looking to improve their CV for future opportunities.

🔔 The YPIP 2026 interview results are out! Following a highly competitive selection process, semifinalists who will proceed to the next stage of the Young Professional Internships Program 2026 have now been notified. Thank you to everyone who applied and shared their time, experiences, and aspirations with us. We truly appreciate your interest in YPIP. Congratulations to our semifinalists, and we look forward to the next stage of the program! 🌟

📢 Friendly reminder to all applicants! Please review the interview guidelines carefully to ensure a smooth and timely interview process. We look forward to speaking with you!💙

📢 Friendly reminder to all applicants! Please review the interview guidelines carefully to ensure a smooth and timely interview process. We look forward to speaking with you!💙

The wait is over 🎉 The YPIP application results have now been released. Please check your email for updates regarding your application status. Congratulations to all candidates who have advanced to the next stage, we are proud of your achievement. To those who were not selected at this stage, we appreciate the time and care invested in your application. We extend our sincere appreciation to all applicants! 💙

📌Curious about what happens after YPIP results are announced? While you wait for application results, you may get prepared for the next steps. Swipe to see the full process explained step by step 👉🏻

We know the waiting part feels like this… 👀 Due to the high number of applications received this year, our team is taking additional time to carefully review all submissions and ensure a fair selection process. Application results will be shared by February 9. Stay tuned for new updates. Thank you for your patience and continued interest in YPIP 💙

🧩 YPIP 2025 Wrapped This year, Young Professional Internships Program brought together people, ideas, and a lot of steady work behind the scenes. 🔥 90 participants showed up in YPIP 2025 and put in the work 🤝 35 host companies opened their doors and mentored future professionals 🌙 35 evening professional development sessions 🧠 70+ mentorship sessions = 150+ hours of real conversations and guidance 🏭 Field trips to 6 large companies across manufacturing, product-based businesses, and the banking and finance sector 🚀 70 participants in 4 regions completed our Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program 🎓 52 alumni leveled up through the Alumni Accelerator Program 💬 3 alumni meetups, almost 130 alumni, countless connections 🏫 31 universities visited across Uzbekistan, where YPIP was introduced to motivated, curious young people 🎉 86 new alumni joined the community — growing YPIP alumni to 253 📝 2,149 people got interested in the program and started their YPIP applications It was a year of learning by doing, asking questions, building connections, and figuring things out along the way. As we step into the new year, we’re looking forward to meeting new participants, working with new and returning partners, and continuing to support young professionals across Uzbekistan. ✨ Wishing everyone a happy and meaningful New Year! 🎄

Highlights from the Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) Accelerator Workshop Series 🚀 As part of the YPIP framework, from November 17 to 25, American Councils held regional entrepreneurship workshops and an Alumni Accelerator program across Uzbekistan. 🌍 Regional Workshop Series One-day workshops in Urgench, Karshi, Bukhara, and Fergana brought together 70 undergraduate students to explore essential entrepreneurial skills through an interactive, U.S.-style format. The sessions were led by U.S. innovation experts Marty Kaszubowski and Sharon Scannell. Participants learned to identify real problems, build customer personas, apply the NABC model, practice customer discovery, and map ideas onto the Pitch Canvas. Students left with practical tools and a clearer understanding of how to shape their ideas into real solutions. ⭐️ YPIP Alumni Accelerator On November 22–23, 52 alumni from four cohorts gathered in the Tashkent Region for a two-day advanced accelerator led by Sharon Scannell. Alumni refined their business ideas using the NABC model, Value Thesis, Business Model Canvas, and Pitch Canvas. They strengthened their problem statements, improved customer insights, practiced interviews, and gained confidence pitching their ideas. The program also provided valuable networking and peer collaboration opportunities. 📌 The entrepreneurship accelerator trainings were held within the framework of the Young Professional Internships Program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and implemented by American Councils for International Education.