Harry Martin
2026 Saltire Scholar
Commercial Intern, Sydney Airport
Economics, University of Strathclyde
About Me
Hi, I’m Harry. I am going into my fourth and final year studying Economics at the University of Strathclyde.
I wanted to use the summer to gain professional experience while challenging myself in a completely new environment.
Saltire Scholars is the perfect programme for this.
I found the Saltire Scholars Programme through Entrepreneurial Scotland and was immediately interested in the opportunity to work internationally. The application process wasn't completely straightforward, as I had a few unsuccessful interviews before securing my internship. However, each interview gave me something to learn from, whether that was how I answered questions, explained my experience or presented myself. I started to see interviews as training rather than simply something you either pass or fail. Eventually, that persistence paid off and led me to Sydney Airport!
My Internship at Sydney Airport
I joined Sydney Airport as a Commercial Intern, working on the Commercial Lands Master Planning Program.
Before starting, I had never really considered the commercial side of an airport. Working at Sydney Airport showed me that airports are much more than transport assets. They are large commercial ecosystems, with significant opportunities for development despite the constraints on available land.
My work involved helping build the information and analysis supporting Sydney Airport's Commercial Lands Masterplan. This included revenue modelling, data analysis and developing AI-optimised data collection workflows. I also gained experience in stakeholder management and the preparation of tender documents.
Although I study Economics, the internship allowed me to apply the analytical skills from my degree while also learning about areas I had not previously experienced.
One of the most rewarding parts was seeing the work progress during my internship. In my final weeks, the Masterplan received government approval through the MDP process. Seeing this happen gave me a better understanding of how what I contributed to could support real commercial and development decisions.
Learning to Adapt
One of the biggest lessons from the internship was the importance of being adaptable.
Halfway through my internship, my initial mentor was promoted and moved into another team. This meant I had to become comfortable working with multiple people across the team, each with different areas of expertise and ways of working.
It pushed me to be more proactive, ask questions and take greater responsibility for my own work.
The people at Sydney Airport also made this much easier. Everyone was extremely supportive and genuinely wanted the best for the interns, which created a really positive environment to learn in.
How I Have Changed
The biggest change I have noticed in myself is my confidence in the workplace.
At the start, I was conscious of working alongside people with much more experience than me and was sometimes hesitant to speak up or ask questions.
As the summer progressed, I became much more comfortable contributing, asking for clarification and taking ownership of my work.
I did this with the thought process of jumping straight into the deep end; you can learn from every experience but often will surprise yourself with just how capable you are.
The internship also broadened my view of potential career paths. I had not previously considered the commercial side of aviation, but seeing how Sydney Airport operates gave me a completely different perspective on the industry and a new found interest.
Advice for Future Scholars
My main advice to anyone considering Saltire Scholars would be perseverance.
I had unsuccessful interviews before getting this opportunity, but each one helped me improve. Treat interviews as training, learn from them and take those lessons into the next one.
Once you get the opportunity, don't worry about knowing everything. Ask questions, be willing to learn and make the most of the people and expertise around you.
I'd also encourage future Scholars to make the most of being abroad. The work is obviously a huge part of the programme, but meeting loads of new people, exploring your surroundings and experiencing a different country are equally important parts of the summer.
Outside of the Internship
The experience outside of work was just as memorable. I made friends for life with the other interns and we made the most of our time in Australia by embracing the Aussie lifestyle and travelling whenever we could even if it meant sleeping in the hire car! (Do not recommend). Some of the highlights were exploring the Great Barrier Reef and summiting Mount Kosciuszko.
