An internship can lead to a position in the higher echelons of a company for those who embrace a career path, as Sean Kelly and Tamae Campbell can prove.

The two now have significant roles at professional services firm PwC Bermuda after they started as interns.

Mr Kelly was made a partner at the company this month, twelve years after he was part of the first group to join PwC’s HeadStart internship programme.

Ms Campbell, who enrolled in the programme’s second year, is now a senior manager.

Mr Kelly said: “Having joined PwC as an associate in the programme, I am thrilled and proud to have progressed through the firm and to now be admitted into the partnership.”

He thanked all those who had helped him with coaching support and guidance throughout his career at the firm.

The HeadStart programme was set up to give Bermudians scholarships, training and mentorship to assist their careers in the financial services industry.

It offers co-op, internship, and associate programmes to Bermudian students and graduates, and up to $75,000 a year in scholarship funds in addition to full funding for their professional designations.

More than 90 Bermudians from the programme have been hired as full-time employees with the company since HeadStart began in 2008 and others have gone on to careers elsewhere in Bermuda’s international business sector.

Arthur Wightman, the PwC territory leader, said: “It was with enormous pride that Sean was admitted to the partnership on July 1.

“He is an outstanding professional and comes with the glowing endorsement of not just his partners in Bermuda but the many partners and clients he supports in Bermuda, London, New York and other global financial centres.

“To look back at our ambitions for HeadStart and reach this milestone is very satisfying. But this is Sean’s moment. He exemplifies our values and is an inspiring role model for us all.”

Ms Campbell was promoted to senior manager this year.

She joined the firm’s asset management team full-time in 2009 as an associate.

Ms Campbell has been a mentor to her team and contributed to the firm’s corporate responsibility ethos through volunteering at events and helping to lead PwC’s homeless programme.

She said: “Promotion to senior manager is a great achievement and, as a Bermudian, I am happy to be forging a path that will inspire others to follow.”

Mr Wightman said: “Tamae is hot on Sean’s heels and is driving fantastic results not just with our clients and our people but with the community in which we live. Her leadership is an inspiration as she rightly acknowledges.”

Damian Cooper, a PwC partner and HeadStart leader, said the programme reflected the company’s commitment to supporting Bermudian students as they progress in their career.

He added the success of Mr Kelly and Ms Campbell provided “a great ambition for the 2020 class of graduates joining us in September”.

PwC welcomed another group of young Bermudians as interns this summer.

They will be working with their teams remotely, taking advantage of the firm’s digital culture and focus on digital training.

To find out more about the HeadStart programme, visit www.pwc.com/bm/en/careers/student