A group of Aberdeen students are putting their business skills to the test as they embark on a global work experience programme.
Five students from Robert Gordon University (RGU) are taking part in the Saltire Foundation's Undergraduate Internship Programme which aims to create the next generation of business leaders in Scotland.
The programme offers talented undergraduate students with placement opportunities to gain valuable work experience in some of the world’s top companies.
RGU students Emily Graham, Emma Donaldson, Iga Wilczynska, Joanna MacQueen and Paul Axford are five of this year’s 137 ‘Saltire Scholars’ who have set off on a three month work experience journey with one of 51 participating companies around the world.
The five RGU students are split between two continents with Emily, Emma and Joanna based with companies in the UK, while Iga and Paul have travelled across the Atlantic to take up work experience opportunities with businesses in the USA.
Fashion Management student, Emily, is completing a communications intern role with Edinburgh Airport; Pharmacy student, Emma, is filling a technical internship with GlaxoSmithKline in Ware; and Joanna, a Media student, has taken up a social marketing placement with global asset management company, The Carlyle Group, in Edinburgh.
On the other side of the pond is Business Information Systems student, Paul, who is embarking on an operations internship with power management and precision analog solutions provider, Intersil, in Milpitas USA, while Media student, Iga, is completing an internal communications internship in Boston with insurance company, Liberty Mutual.
Christine Buchanan, Dean of Students at RGU, says: “We are delighted that five of our students from a range of disciplines have been selected as ‘Saltire Scholars’ which is testament to the industry-focused teaching that we deliver here at RGU.
“Each student has shown huge potential, drive and ambition to make it onto the internship programme, which will provide them with a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience with some of the world’s leading firms and entrepreneurs.
“I have no doubt that the students will return from their internships with a wealth of skills and knowledge which will be invaluable as they embark on their future careers.”
The Saltire Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Entrepreneurial Scotland which aims to inspire and develop Scotland’s people
to build the most entrepreneurial society in the world.
The 2015 Saltire Scholars will be awarded membership of Future Leaders, a new network category of Entrepreneurial Scotland for budding talented individuals who have a vested interest in Scotland’s economic growth.
Sandy Kennedy, chief executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland, said: "This year sees another record intake of Scholars. For the first time, Scholars will now join our growing network of current and Future Leaders – people who are committed to inspiring, developing and connecting with each other to ignite economic growth in Scotland.
“Scotland needs to seek its future in the wider global arena and to succeed in an ever more competitive international environment we will need young people of this calibre to underpin the country's economic future."