Hello! My name is Lava and I study Business & Management/Psychology at the University of Glasgow. I applied to the Saltire Scholars Programme in hopes of securing an internship while also contributing to Scotland’s entrepreneurial vision. I wanted to build confidence, both academically and personally. At university, you spend a lot of time on theory, but there are fewer opportunities to apply it in real-world settings.
I was ecstatic when I found out I would be interning at Network Rail as an Integrated Risk Project Intern. At first, I was a little nervous about what exactly I would be doing, but my manager and team were incredibly welcoming and patient in introducing me to the world of risk. My role involved working with risk data across the organisation, which was exciting, as I wasn’t limited to just one department. My main project focused on creating an automation process through Power BI, using AI to generate insights and draw conclusions from previous data. This meant that instead of spending so much time manually updating data, the team could dedicate their energy to other priorities.
I had never used Power BI before, so there was definitely a lot of trial and error. But to my surprise, I ended up enjoying it! It felt like a fun blend of Excel and PowerPoint, and it’s a skill I know I’ll carry forward into future roles. My project laid the foundation for the risk team to build on further, which I’m really proud of. I also significantly improved many of my soft skills, which I can apply to my studies as I head into my final year at university.
Beyond my day-to-day role, the Early Careers team organised fantastic trips for all of the interns around the central belt, which were fantastic opportunities to see the railway from different perspectives. We explored the signalling, controlling, and training centre. Additionally, I had the chance to walk on the Forth Rail Bridge, ride in a helicopter, and stand on top of Glasgow Central Station alongside Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary - an unforgettable experience!
This internship has definitely boosted my confidence. I used to hate the idea of bothering people with questions, but I’ve learned that most people are passionate about their work and are more than happy to share their knowledge; it’s never a nuisance. For example, I would never have stepped onto the Forth Rail Bridge or into a helicopter if I hadn’t pushed myself out of my shell and just asked. This experience has opened my eyes to the power of simply asking. My advice to future interns is to do the same! The worst someone can say is that they’re too busy, but more often than not, they’ll say yes.
