This summer, I joined Phlo as a Business Development and AI Sales Intern. When I applied to the Saltire Scholars Programme, I was looking to step outside my comfort zone, gain practical experience in a field different from my original degree, and learn how innovative companies grow and make decisions. Having recently completed my degree in International Relations and Politics, I was excited by the chance to explore a completely different environment and challenge myself in a new, more technology driven field.
Over the past few weeks, I have worked on projects ranging from market research and competitor analysis to exploring new opportunities in healthcare and building tools to support business development. It has been a fascinating experience that has shown me how strategy, technology and innovation come together in practice. Most of my work has focused on optimising processes, and I really enjoyed constantly looking for solutions to improve the existing systems within the B2B department and help the company make the most of its potential.
I have been researching new healthcare opportunities, assessing emerging markets and building AI powered tools to make future business development faster and more scalable. More importantly, the internship has helped me develop industry specific skills, build confidence and think differently about my future career. Looking back, I can already see how much I have grown, both professionally and personally.
The most rewarding part of the internship has probably been hearing positive feedback about the projects I have worked on. As someone who is only just starting out after university, it has been invaluable to receive encouragement and support from my manager and the team, while also understanding that this was not simply an internship, but an opportunity to make a real impact.
Along the way, I have met so many brilliant and well-rounded people, and every conversation has broadened my horizons and introduced me to new perspectives. For someone who is just starting out in their career, I would definitely recommend applying to the Saltire Scholars Programme. It is an experience that can significantly boost both your confidence and your professional skills.
That is why I am incredibly grateful to my mentors, my manager, and all the colleagues and friends I met during this internship. I am excited to take these lessons with me into the next stage of my journey.
Being a Saltire Scholar has been much more than just completing an internship. It has given me the opportunity to learn from talented professionals and to understand that some lessons can only be learned through real experience. No matter how much you study at university, working in a real organisation will always teach you something new. This experience has encouraged me to try new things and discover opportunities that I had never previously considered.
