Innes Croll
2026 Saltire Scholar
Project Engineering Intern, Network Rail
Aeronautical Engineering, University of Glasgow
Curiosity has always been one of the main things that motivates me. I enjoy understanding how things work and routinely find myself looking for opportunities to learn from the people around me. Whether that's understanding a technical concept or hearing about someone else's experiences, I've always found that asking questions is one of the best ways to learn. That was one of the main reasons I applied for the Saltire Scholars Programme, as I saw it as an opportunity to gain practical engineering experience, work alongside industry professionals and develop an understanding of engineering beyond the classroom.
My name is Innes Croll, and I study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Glasgow. This summer I completed a ten-week internship with Network Rail as a Project Engineering intern. Going into the placement, I expected to develop my technical knowledge, but I quickly realised the biggest lessons weren't technical. Instead, the experience changed my understanding of what it really means to be an engineer.
One of the things I enjoyed most was learning in a completely different way to university. Rather than being taught through lectures or coursework, I found myself building my own understanding through self-study. I spent time working through technical drawings, standards and signalling documentation, often starting with older systems because they were simpler before progressing onto newer and more complex material. I found that understanding the fundamentals first made everything else much easier to follow. It reinforced something I've always enjoyed about learning: I'd much rather understand why something works than simply know that it does.
As my understanding developed, I was trusted to contribute to a range of tasks, from reviewing engineering documentation and technical drawings to supporting investigations and validating project information. Although these were relatively small contributions individually, it was rewarding knowing they genuinely helped the team while allowing me to build my confidence.
Working alongside experienced engineers also changed the way I think about starting my own career. Before the internship, I felt some apprehension because there always seemed to be so much that I didn't know. Spending time in industry quickly changed that perspective. I realised nobody expects you to know everything from day one, and that even experienced engineers are continually learning. It was reassuring to hear that it can take years just to become familiar with all of the systems, standards and acronyms used across the railway. That gave me much more confidence about beginning my own career.
Another thing that really stood out to me was the difference between what I learn at university and the skills that need to be applied in industry. At university, much of the focus is on developing the technical knowledge needed to solve engineering problems. During my internship I realised that while this forms the foundation, communication is just as important.
I hadn't expected how much collaboration happens every day. Engineers, contractors and clients all have different priorities, and naturally that can lead to misunderstandings or different opinions on the best way forward. One of the most valuable things I observed was how Project Engineers acted as the link between those different groups. They coordinated information, challenged decisions where necessary and made sure everyone was working towards the same objective while ensuring the final solution remained safe and compliant. Watching those discussions showed me that successful engineering isn't only about technical knowledge; it's equally about communication, understanding different perspectives and bringing people together to achieve a common goal.
The culture within the team also made a lasting impression on me. Everyone was approachable and willing to share their knowledge, making it easy to ask questions without feeling like I should already know the answer. It was also nice to see that engineers could be casual while still remaining professional. There was a clear time for serious discussions, particularly when safety or technical decisions were involved, but there was also a genuine emphasis on building relationships with the people around you. I think that environment made it much easier to learn and is something I'll take with me into my own career.
Alongside the placement itself, the Saltire events and social activities were another highlight of the programme. They gave me the opportunity to speak with the other Network Rail interns and hear about the work they had been involved in throughout the summer. Although we were all part of the same organisation, everyone had been exposed to different projects and disciplines, which gave me a much broader understanding of the company as a whole rather than just the area I was working in. It was also interesting to hear how everyone had found their placements and get a real feel for what it was like working in different parts of Network Rail.
The biggest thing I leave with is confidence. I feel much less apprehensive about starting a career in engineering than I did ten weeks ago because I now understand that becoming a good engineer isn't about having all the answers. It's about being willing to keep learning, asking questions and building your understanding over time. The Saltire Scholars Programme has given me exactly the opportunity I was hoping for when I applied, and I couldn't recommend it more to any student looking to broaden their perspective and gain genuine industry experience.
