This summer 8 students from University of Glasgow are among the 61 students from across Scotland embarking on outstanding, fully-funded internships with many of the world’s leading multinational companies.  The Saltire Foundation runs this programme which targets Scotland’s most talented undergraduates, most of whom would not normally have access to these types of opportunities.  The 61 paid placements are with companies such as The Trump Organization, Liberty Mutual, IBM, the Wood Group and Tesco in the US, China, Australia, Hong Kong and across the European Union. 

 The Saltire Foundation’s innovative approach to creating a vibrant and dynamic Scottish economy centres on unlocking the country’s human potential.  These high-calibre placements challenge Scotland’s top students to develop their own skills while working on projects of real significance to their host companies.  Students often meet with senior level management and gain exposure to high-level business networks.  Host firms in the USA have said that the quality of Saltire Scholars is as good, if not better than their Ivy League equivalents.

The highly competitive application process focuses on merit and potential and is open to all students in their penultimate year at a Scottish University who have not previously had similar experiences.  University of Glasgow students participating on the programme this year are Andrew Carey, Christopher Scott, Darren Smith, John Melvin, Kathryn Fraser, Nadia McLean, Sarah Hampton and Susan Rimmer.  The students have gained prestigious internships including those with Rolls Royce in Indianapolis, IBM in North Carolina and The Trump Organisation in Aberdeen.    

For many participants living and working abroad will be a life changing experience. Chris Jones, 2010 Scholar at Lab49 in New York described his placement as: “the two months the rest of my life will have to live up to”.  Former Saltire Scholar, ‘Scot of the Year’ and serial adventurer, Mark Beaumont says his Saltire internship with Liberty Mutual in Boston: “was a real turning point in my life, as it gave me the confidence to take on my greatest expedition ideas”. 

The outstanding achievements of the programme’s Alumni demonstrate that investing in tomorrow’s leaders early in their careers will develop a global perspective which pays dividends to the Scottish economy in the medium to long-term. 

Sandy Kennedy CEO of the Saltire Foundation said: “I am delighted that The Saltire Scholarship continues to go from strength to strength.  The 2011 cohort of Scholars are outstanding group and will undoubtedly do Scotland proud.  It should be remembered that these life changing opportunities would not be possible without the support of our host companies and in particular the GlobalScots.”

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First published: 5 July 2011