After fierce competition Lindsay Flannery, a third year BA (Hons) Business Studies student at Abertay University, was selected by the Saltire Foundation for its international internship programme. She flew out the day after leading Abertay’s Pipe Band at the summer graduation ceremony.
Lindsay chose a placement with IBM in Shanghai at the company’s China Procurement Centre, one of only three such facilities worldwide. The internship involves working with important clients from Australia and New Zealand to China, India, Japan and everywhere in between.
Speaking from Shanghai, Lindsay said: "Getting the chance to work with one of the world’s most well-known companies is incredible enough, but being able to move to China to work for eight weeks is a life-changing opportunity.
"I’ve been working with IBM’s business experts and clients across Australia and Asia, learning something new every day about how major international companies operate. This, combined with my Business Studies degree at Abertay, should give me a real advantage in applying for jobs after graduation."
The programme received hundreds and hundreds of applications, with just 60 students being selected for the two-month programme. Abertay University has three participants in the scheme this year – the others are John Tilsner, who is with Bayer Business Consulting in Cologne, Germany; and Katie Armstrong, who is with Tesco Polska in Krakow, Poland.
Lindsay added: "The Business School and careers staff at Abertay University gave me the opportunity and the support to apply to the Saltire Foundation scheme. Business students regularly receive opportunities like this at Abertay, including international business competitions, which is very exciting.
"Students get a great deal of support from staff, particularly on how to make the transition from studying to a career in business. Working with IBM in China should make that move into my first major job that much easier!"
To be picked above all the other applicants, Lindsay completed a gruelling selection programme, including an online assessment, a speed interview session, and a telephone interview with IBM’s manager in Shanghai.
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A print-quality image of Lindsay, including her bagpipes and Abertay Pipe Band outfit, is available on request.
For media enquiries, please contact Kevin Coe – E: k.coe@abertay.ac.uk T: 01382 308 452 M: 07850 904 110
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Lindsay is studying the BA (Hons) Business Studies degree at Abertay University. Some places are still available on this and other business degrees for this September. Students should call 01382 30 80 80 today to discuss the options for their future.
Abertay’s Dundee Business School offers students a wide range of work experience opportunities during their studies, including placements, business competitions and contact with visiting industry professionals.
The Saltire Foundation’s undergraduate internship programme offers Scotland’s most talented students a unique opportunity to boost their confidence, skills and ambition. The students get to work with global companies on important projects, and network with senior executives.
The Saltire Foundation itself was established to inspire the future generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders needed to develop Scottish companies into international successes. It plans to help over 700 undergraduates in the next five to ten years.