From the very first Teams call back in September 2024, I was instantly drawn to the Saltire Scholars Programme and its focus on creating life-changing experiences for students. What I didn’t expect was that less than a year later I would be flying to Chicago for an internship that completely changed how I think about my goals and what I want to do in the future.
It was an amazing feeling to know that all the effort I had put into the recruitment process had been recognised by both Chicago Scots and the Saltire Programme. I spent the summer interning with Chicago Scots, an inspiring non-profit organisation that celebrates Scottish heritage while supporting the local community through its partnership with Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care. It is a care home that quickly began to feel like a second home to me.
One of my first big projects was helping to organise the annual Highland Games, which welcomed over 10,000 people just two weeks after I started. I worked on event signage, email communications and spreadsheets to manage inventories, and helped out on the day to make sure everything ran smoothly. Seeing it all come together after weeks of planning was a great feeling and gave me a real sense of achievement.
After the Games, my colleague Caitlin and I worked with board members to create a “Top Destinations in Scotland” list for members. It was a fun and creative project that helped connect Chicago Scots’ community to its roots back home.
The most rewarding part of my internship came from the amazing opportunities my manager Dawn set up for us. I met Kelly Penry, former Talent Acquisition Director at United Airlines, who shared brilliant advice on CVs, interviews and careers in HR. I also met John Murphy, the British Consulate General in Chicago, and toured the UL Research Institutes with Stuart Miller. These experiences gave me a much clearer idea of what the world of work is like and opened my eyes to new paths I had not considered before, especially in HR and data analysis.
The whole team at Chicago Scots, including Gus Noble OBE, made the experience even better. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive, and I felt part of something special from day one. Chicago itself was incredible too. It is an amazing city and somewhere I would love to go back to one day. I would definitely visit Caledonia Senior Living again as it holds such a special place in my memories.
This summer has boosted my confidence so much. I have learned that stepping outside your comfort zone is where the best experiences happen and that hard work really does pay off. I have come home with new skills, amazing memories and a much clearer sense of direction for the future.
If you are even slightly thinking about applying to the Saltire Scholars Programme, just go for it. It is an opportunity that pushes you to grow, builds your confidence and gives you experiences that will stay with you for life. I never imagined that one Teams call back in September 2024 would lead me to such an unforgettable summer, and I am so glad I took the chance.
