Hello! My name is Eilidh Macdonald, and I study Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde. I initially applied to the Saltire Scholars Programme because I wanted an opportunity to develop my skills, gain industry experience, and be part of a community of ambitious, like-minded students. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of how businesses operate, explore potential career paths, and challenge myself in a new environment.
This summer, I was a Strategy and Asset Data intern with Network Rail. I worked as part of their Engineering and Asset Management team, based in their Glasgow office. I was given two key projects to work on. The first involved investigating Service Affecting Failures and Public Performance Measure Failures. These refer to issues that cause delays or disruptions to train services, such as asset breakdowns or operational problems. My role was to analyse historical data to identify incidents that have caused more disruption than expected with the goal of making the railway a more reliable and efficient service.
My second project was to create an interactive data dashboard for the Gauging team, who ensure that trains can safely fit and run on different tracks across the network. This was particularly important to help the team prepare for Scotrail’s introduction of its new electric fleet and reduce the climate impact of the railway.
Working on these projects was challenging but ultimately very rewarding. I had the opportunity not only to apply the skills and knowledge I had gained at university but also to explore new techniques and ideas. I was particularly proud to have developed a machine learning model to predict the amount of delay expected from a new incident. This felt especially exciting because it was something the company was keen to explore to drive more sophisticated and forward-thinking data analysis. The gauging data dashboard is also helping the team save time and improve the way they manage and report on key information.
Over the course of my internship, I have noticed a real growth in my confidence. I now feel more comfortable in professional settings, and I have developed stronger communication and problem-solving skills. A standout achievement for me was being selected to deliver a presentation to the Executive team, where I shared the findings of my data analysis and demonstrated the interactive dashboard I had developed. Presenting to such a senior audience was initially daunting, but it turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. A few months ago, I would not have believed I could do that, but now I know I can!
To any student who is considering applying to the Saltire Scholars Programme - do it! It opens the door to so many internship opportunities that you might never have considered otherwise and truly broadens your perspective. My advice to any future Saltire Scholars is to trust yourself - don’t be afraid to take your own spin on the work and follow through with any ideas that you believe will add value. To me, being a Saltire Scholar means being part of a community that values curiosity, leadership, and making a real difference!
