My name is Niamh, and I am going into my fourth year, currently studying Accounting at Glasgow Caledonian University. The Saltire Scholar programme stood out to me because it offered the chance to gain meaningful, hands-on experience with a global company, not just observing, but actually contributing to projects that make an impact, alongside other ambitious students.
This summer, I had the opportunity to complete an internship at Aggreko, where I rotated across three areas of the finance function: Treasury, Business Performance and Group Finance. I was drawn to this rotational element of my internship when applying, which allowed me to explore different areas of finance and see how they connect across a business. This was important to me when exploring which career path I’d like to pursue.
Each rotation gave me a completely different perspective on finance. In Treasury, I worked on backup packs for a major facility change, liaised with banks to verify critical data and saw firsthand how tools like Bloomberg and HSBCNet are used in managing global cash flows. It gave me a real-world idea of the importance of the accuracy of internal controls within a business.
With the Business Performance team, I took on a data-driven project analysing job quotes and lost job quotes. Using Power BI, Excel and PowerPoint, I created and presented a detailed analysis of sales trends, which provided insights into commercial performance. This experience really pushed me to develop my data analysis and presentation skills in a short time frame.
Finally, in Group Finance, I supported tasks ranging from intercompany invoices to overhead budgets and board reports. This rotation provided me with a broader understanding of financial planning and consolidation, highlighting the extensive detail involved in group reporting and long-term planning.
Overall, this internship has been a rewarding experience that has helped me clarify my career goals and given me the chance to explore the wide range of finance in practice. What excited me most is the variety and fast-paced nature of finance within a business like Aggreko, where no two days ever feel the same. Each rotation brought its own challenge; however, beyond the technical skills, I’ve grown more confident in adapting to new scenarios and asking questions.
I really valued the support from colleagues, who were always willing to share their own knowledge and career journeys. Alongside this, connecting the numbers to real-world operations during a site visit, which reminded me of the tangible impact finance has on decision-making.
The Saltire Scholar programme has shown me the value of embracing opportunities where you contribute and grow with your fellow students. Looking ahead, I would strongly encourage future students to step outside their comfort zone to seize chances like this that can shape their career aspirations.
