Michael Frew is a recent graduate with a dual masters in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde. Learning about the programme from his university, Michael was drawn to apply due to the international opportunities and real-world experience offered. Michael successfully applied and entered the Candidate Pool in 2022.
With a passion for renewable energy and the nuclear sector, Michael was excited to find a programme that offered real experience in a sector he was so passionate about with the opportunity to live and work abroad.
Despite not securing an internship in 2022, undeterred, he reapplied in 2023 with an additional year of experience and confidence and successfully landed his dream internship as a Process Engineering Assistance Intern with SNC Lavalin (now AtkinsRéalis) in Mississauga, Canada.
Michael travelled to Mississauga, Canada in June of 2023 to kickstart his new role as a Process Engineering Assistance Intern with AtkinsRéalis, his first time living and working abroad. As part of the internship, Michael had the opportunity to work exclusively on the designs of a new small modular reactor (SMR), the first of its kind, that if successful, could change the future of the nuclear industry. Speaking of the project, Michael said:
Being exposed to innovation and having the opportunity to work and contribute to such a project first-hand has fuelled my ambition to expand my career further into the nuclear energy sector.
Day to day, Michael worked alongside another Saltire Scholar, Struan, as well as other senior engineers to review the schematics of the reactor and make adaptations where necessary. The project enabled Michael to enhance his existing skills, whilst constantly learning new ones along the way thanks to an engaging and supportive team at AtkinsRéalis.
“I was able to connect with several amazing people throughout the company that really helped to guide me throughout my experience. Each of the people I met during my time at SNC always strived to make sure my time there was as challenging and rewarding as possible. I will be sure to stay in contact throughout my professional career and hope to be working with them again in the future.”
Photo: Michael with his fellow Saltire Scholar cohort based in Canada, featuring the SMR Michael worked with during his internship.
Michael’s time as a Saltire Scholar was an eye-opening experience both personally and professionally. By being placed outside his comfort zone in a completely new environment, Michael credits the experience as a stepping stone to understanding himself and his capabilities.
“This internship has given me the opportunity to better understand myself as an individual through international experience.
This experience has been incredible and has truly shaped my character in a positive manner by building my core skills both professionally and personally. In only a few short months my life has been forever changed by the opportunity this internship has given me.”
After completing his internship in September 2023, Michael successfully secured a full-time role with AtkinsRéalis as a Graduate Waste Management Engineer, an opportunity he doesn’t think would be possible without his time as a Saltire Scholar.
Without Saltire, the opportunity to shape my skills, confidence, and future career path in my chosen sector in such a short amount of time just wouldn’t have been possible. I’m forever grateful to the programme and the AtkinsRéalis team for recognising my potential and equipping me with the right experience and mindset, as I now look forward to an exciting career as an engineer.
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