Profile: Saltire interns provide insight into their internships

With the Saltire interns enjoying their internships, while at home or abroad, we asked a few of them to give us their insights into the internship process and what they think of their experience so far.

First up is Jordan Spittal, student on undergraduate International Business course, currently with the Wood Group in Texas:

I got involved in the Saltire Foundation because it's an organisation that wants to inspire students to put Scotland on the map. Having grown up with a strong sense of pride in my country, I jumped at the chance to be involved in a programme that would allow me to be an ambassador for Scotland as well as showing companies throughout the world the strong work ethic, determination and commitment that students studying in Scotland can provide to their businesses. The Saltire Foundation aims to harness our talents and have us challenged at the highest level, something I have craved for many years.

The process itself was rigorous, however it was slightly unorthodox in certain aspects. Firstly we had to fill in an online application, stating our desires for the future, how we felt we could best represent Scotland and also explain about our background. After this, we travelled to Dundee for 'speed interviews' - I had never heard of this approach before but, I must say, I was very impressed. We had 5-10 minutes to speak to a Saltire Fellow or member of the Saltire team. They quizzed us further on our applications and our ambition for the future. Following that we had another speed interview with alumni members who had been on the programme before us - this was incredibly challenging, as they know exactly the questions to ask to find the people they feel can fill their shoes.

After succeeding in the above, we then applied to our host companies and went through telephone interviews with them. Although a daunting task, it was great to make initial contact with them and be challenged to show just how much we wanted to work for them.

I was jumping for joy when told I’d been successful. We had received a list of many amazing opportunities, but Wood Group in Houston was the one internship that stood out for me and to receive the call, telling me I had been accepted to my first choice, was fantastic.

I've been at Wood Group for three weeks now. The first two I spent working in Corporate Communications and this week I have been working in Wood Group PSN Communications. The work has been challenging and I'd like to think I've showcased just how hard working Scotland can be. I've really enjoyed working with people from varying backgrounds and cultures and learning about the company at the same time. The most important thing I have taken away so far is the sense of what 'real work' entails, the fact that things can change at any moment and it's great to see how the company and its departments communicate and adapt to these changes to move forward.

I'm thoroughly enjoying myself here in Houston and looking forward to the next few weeks here at Wood Group.

Next, Jessica Martin, International Business course, tells us about her internship with the American International Group (AIG) in New York City:

I primarily got involved with Saltire because I believe internship experience is the perfect complement to having a degree and almost essential in today’s job market. Second, because the foundation offers opportunities to help students differentiate themselves which is difficult in business and I wanted an internship that would truly advance my skill set and help my CV stand out. Third, as my degree is the international business degree, it was important to me to get an internship not only with a company who operates on an international level but one that was overseas. Lastly - and what has become most important to me - I got involved with the Saltire Foundation because I get their vision, support the work they do and want to be involved in it.

The whole application process was about seven months, but well worth it! I come from a wee village of the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland and I managed to secure myself an internship with one of the world’s largest companies in one of the most iconic cities in the world. It would be an understatement to say I was shocked and I screamed the house down when told I’d been successful!

My placement is in AIG’s Global Operations & Systems team. The internship has given me fantastic corporate exposure and insight into the operations of a company which is not only going through major change initiatives but a company which is doing this on a global scale. The work is very project based and I am managing to get involved with six projects in the eight weeks I have here which again is great exposure in such a small space of time. This placement has allowed me to observe the work environment, helped me realise the daily work that goes into working in the insurance industry and has aided my understanding of what my day-to-day responsibilities would be if I worked in operations here or in any company for that matter. Lastly, this internship, based on Wall Street, has given me the opportunity to observe and be a part of the working life of the world famous Wall Street phenomenon, somewhere I would not be at this stage in my career if it wasn’t for the Saltire Foundation.

Finally, Juliane Grasekamp, Events Management student, tells of her internship experience with Grand Hyatt in Dubai:

I heard about Saltire though the careers service at university and thought it sounded like a fantastic opportunity; not only for the internship, but the networking and ability to help others and make a difference in their future.

There was a lengthy application process which involved an online application, two ‘speed interviews’, writing mini essays and then a final interview with our selected host company. Saltire really wanted to get to know each candidate as a person, not just what achievements they had on paper, and that definitely reflects in the group of scholars that were elected – they are such a lovely bunch!

In all honesty, I had a mix of emotions on finding out I’d been successful. I was ecstatic that I had the opportunity to come and complete an internship with Grand Hyatt, but I was also apprehensive about spending the summer living and working in Dubai, it’s so different and I knew there would be a real culture shock.

I was right about the culture shock but have now adapted and am so glad that I was able to have this experience. I feel this summer has really helped me to grow both professionally and personally. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short space of time.

You can read more about the students, and their fellow interns, here.