๐ฃ Highlights from the Professional Development Session of YPIP 2026: โMock Interviewsโ
On August 12 and 13, participants of the Young Professional Internships Program (YPIP) attended an interactive professional development session, โMock Interviews,โ led by Adrian Erlinger, Director of AI Strategy at Data Strategy Lab. The workshop focused on helping participants communicate their skills and experiences clearly and confidently during job interviews.
Through hands-on mock interviews, peer feedback, and practical exercises, participants learned how to turn their academic, internship, work, and volunteering experiences into concise and credible examples. Using the STAR + Reflection framework, they practiced responding to common behavioral interview questions while highlighting their individual contributions, results, and lessons learned.
Participants explored:
๐น Understanding what recruiters and hiring managers evaluate at different stages of the interview process
๐น Using the STAR + Reflection framework to structure clear, specific, and compelling answers
๐น Practicing common interview questions focused on problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and learning from feedback
๐น Giving and receiving constructive peer feedback to strengthen interview responses and build confidence
โน๏ธ Adrian Erlinger is a global innovation and international development leader and Fulbright Scholar with experience working across more than 12 countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. As Director of AI Strategy at Data Strategy Lab, he supports digital transformation and economic growth across different sectors. Throughout his career, Adrian has worked with governments, private-sector organizations, nonprofits, universities, and startups to advance innovation and professional development globally.
๐ Young Professional Internships Program is funded by the
https://t.me/USAUzbekistan and implemented by
https://t.me/ACCELS
