My name is Safia Said, and I was in the final year of my Biomedical Sciences degree at the University of Strathclyde when I applied to the Saltire Scholar Programme. Like many students at that stage, I was uncertain about my career path. I knew I didn’t want to work in a lab, but beyond that, I had no clear direction. I discovered the Saltire opportunity just two days before the application deadline during a careers service workshop—and decided to take a chance, hoping it would open doors to industries I hadn’t yet explored. I’m so glad I did.
I completed my internship in Prague as a Strategy Intern for EEMEA at Edwards Lifesciences, where I spent three months immersed in the Transcatheter Heart Valve business unit. My responsibilities included conducting market analysis for Q4 & FY 2024, as well as Q1 and Q2 of 2025. I supported data preparation for the Annual Operating Plan and developed an Excel template to integrate internal and external data from an ongoing market research project. One of my key projects involved evaluating and comparing marketing investments against revenue across 2023–2025, which I presented to the Senior Directors of Sales and Business Operations.
Throughout the internship, I gained invaluable insights into business, marketing, and finance. I learned how to navigate a professional environment, collaborate with cross-functional teams across different countries, and communicate effectively. I even had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with department heads, which gave me exposure to a wide range of roles and career paths. One of the most important lessons I learned is that your degree or first job doesn’t define your entire career—you can reinvent yourself many times over. That realisation helped ease the anxiety I felt about life after university.
This experience was transformative not only professionally but personally. I proved to myself that I can do hard things. I stepped out of my comfort zone, lived in a new city, and found my footing in an industry I had no prior experience in. It gave me clarity: I now know I want to pursue a graduate scheme in business operations within a medical device or pharmaceutical company.
To any student considering the Saltire Scholar Programme—apply! It’s an incredible launchpad for your future, offering exposure, growth, and clarity in ways you might not expect.
