Divyadharshini Karthikeyan
2026 Saltire Scholar
Developer Intern, YourShortlist
Computer Science, University of Strathclyde
Hello! My name is Divyadharshini Karthikeyan, and I study Computer Science at the University of Strathclyde. I first heard about the Saltire Scholars Programme through my sister, who was a Saltire Scholar in 2024.
She had such a positive experience during her internship, and as I was about to start my third year at university, I was also looking for an opportunity to gain experience in my field. I wanted to put what I had learned at university into practice, but I was also really curious to see what working in a professional environment was actually like.
For the past 10 weeks, I have been interning at YourShortlist as a Developer Intern, and it has genuinely been one of the best experiences I have had. My main project involved automating an existing business process using OpenAI. I really enjoyed being able to work on something from the early stages and see how much it developed over the course of my internship. It was especially rewarding to know that the work I was doing could genuinely add value to the company.
Although the internship was closely related to my Computer Science degree, there was still so much that was completely new to me. I was able to build on my technical skills, but I also learned a huge amount about working in a business, communicating with different people and understanding how technology can be used to solve real problems. Those are things that can be difficult to fully learn in a university setting, so having the chance to experience them first-hand was really valuable.
One of the biggest areas of growth for me was my confidence and communication. During the internship, I had several opportunities to present in front of larger groups. The first time was definitely nerve-racking, but each time I presented, I became more comfortable and confident. Looking back at how nervous I was at the beginning compared with how I feel now, that is something I am really proud of.
I’m also very grateful to have been nominated for Employee of the Month during my internship. At the start of the 10 weeks, I remember feeling nervous about entering a completely new working environment, so receiving that recognition towards the end felt especially rewarding. For me, it was less about the title itself and more about realising how much I had grown over such a short period of time. It was also lovely to see that the work I had put into my project was recognised and had made a positive contribution. I’m very thankful to everyone at YourShortlist for being so welcoming, supportive and encouraging throughout my internship.
Another highlight was fundraising for the Saltire Scholars Programme with the other interns. We wanted to give something back to the programme that had made this experience possible for us, so we organised a bake sale and games nights. It was such a fun and memorable part of the internship, and I loved getting the chance to work with the other interns outside of our individual projects. I’m also really grateful to YourShortlist for supporting and encouraging us with the fundraising.
One of the things I will probably remember most is the people I met along the way. I have had the chance to speak to and work with so many great people, and I genuinely feel like I have learned something from almost every conversation. Whether it was technical advice, career advice or simply learning how different roles within a business work, those conversations have added so much to my experience.
Overall, this internship has helped me grow both technically and personally. I am leaving with more confidence, stronger communication skills, valuable industry experience and a much better understanding of what it is like to work in a professional environment.
I would definitely recommend applying to the Saltire Scholars Programme. Being a Saltire Scholar has given me an unforgettable experience, and it is something I would really encourage other students to experience too.
If you are a student who is interested in gaining real work experience or completing an internship, Saltire is such a great opportunity. My biggest advice would be to just apply, even if you feel nervous or unsure. You never really know how much an experience can positively impact you until you give it a chance.
For me, being a Saltire Scholar now means being part of a programme that has helped me grow, build my confidence and gain experiences that I will carry with me into the future. So if you are thinking about applying, just go for it and see where the opportunity takes you!
