My first couple of weeks as a Saltire Scholar!
To say it’s only been two weeks feels like a lie because it genuinely has felt like just a few days. Time is flying by with so many enjoyable activities to do. My time so far interning for Sydney Airport as part of the airfreight strategy team has been excellent, with a wide variety of projects to choose from to get me started. The project I decided to focus on is the commercial structure, specifically developing a go-to-market strategy for the airfreight team. It has been a tough but rewarding project, and definitely a steep learning curve for me.
As a Biology major, I was unfamiliar with much of the terminology used in the commercial world. However, the team around me has been incredibly supportive, and the other Saltire scholars have been a great help.
This journey is helping me to facilitate both my personal and professional goals. I hope to build meaningful connections with my colleagues through networking and attending events. Professionally, I look forward to learning and understanding an entirely new area of knowledge. Although I am a Biology major, I plan to pursue a Bio Business Master’s Degree in the near future. This internship is the perfect stepping stone to develop the business and commercial knowledge that will help me excel in my future studies.
One thing I am truly grateful for is how easily I have settled into this role. With the help of my managers, I already feel like a major part of the team. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee before work or being involved in team meetings, each interaction has helped me settle in quickly.
Collaborating with team members was something I was really looking forward to. As a sociable person, I was keen to meet as many people as possible. So far, I have had numerous opportunities to collaborate with my team on presentations, taking meeting minutes, and helping “crunch the numbers.” These collaborations have been incredibly beneficial, boosting my confidence and supporting my goals.
Leading up to this role, I was definitely a little worried about feeling out of place in an environment surrounded by people with years of experience compared to my zero. What helped me overcome this worry was being in regular contact with my mentor and receiving summary slides about the work I’d likely be involved in. This support and information made it much easier for me to be prepared, hit the ground running, and feel more confident in my ability to support the team.
So, all in all I am incredibly happy about my first few weeks in Sydney and the opportunities I have had so far and look forward to the opportunities that await!!
