to fill an urgent need by offering vital skills development
opportunities to a new generation of students.
“This is partnership working at its best. By delivering a
robust internship programme supported by universities
and voluntary organisations, we are witnessing successful
knowledge exchange, outstanding opportunities for
both students and sector organisations and a positive
impact on communities. It’s a wi nning combination.”
In the light of recent discussions about the increased
use of unpaid interns across a range of sectors, TSIS
Co-Director Martha Caddell from The Open University
in Scotland is keen to point out that students on the
Third Sector Internships Scotland programme are
paid a Living Wage. “It is only fair that students
are rewarded for their valuable contribution with
pay which reflects the work done. This helps to
relieve financial stress and reflects the intention of
the internship programme to provide high quality
internships that have open and fair recruitment
processes.”
Following its initial success, the challenge
is now to achieve the sustainability of the
project. Martha Caddell continued: “The first
internship for an organisation is fully funded
and supported, so there has been a lot of
interest from employers. Organisations
keen to take on further interns are asked to
provide a proportion of the intern’s salary
costs. The value to the organisations,
and the communities they work with,
can be significant. An intern’s work
can lead to the implementation of new
projects, fundraising or research and
development work which will really help
the organisation move forward with its
work.”
One organisation which has already
benefited from the project is the
Befriending Network. They note that:
“This initiative is a really exciting
development for the voluntary sector
as well as for the interns. In the long
term it can only lead to a better
understanding of the role of the third
sector as these students move into
the wider world of employment. It
can also help to re-direct their
career aspirations by opening
their eyes to new possibilities.”
QMU’s Fiona Boyle concluded:
“The strength of the TSIS
project goes beyond improving
employability. Often the impact
of specific pieces of work
carried out by students results
in lasting positive change - it
empowers them to leave a
legacy. It also encourages
the students, and therefore a
new generation, to develop
a commitment to the third
sector which has a positive
effect on individuals, the
community and society
as a whole.” ❒
Life-changing Saltire
Scholarships open up a new
world of opportunities
O
VER THE SUMMER two QMU students took
part in life-changing scholarship programmes
which provided them with the opportunity to
work abroad with some of the world’s most influential
business leaders. The two students, who successfully
secured internships with the 2012 Saltire Scholarship
programme, benefited from outstanding work experience
opportunities in the USA and the United Arab Emirates.
Rebecca Irving,
a Psychology and
Sociology student,
and
Shereen
Fazeli, an Events
Management student,
were the first QMU
students to gain Saltire
Scholarships. These
high-calibre placements
challenge Scotland’s top
students to develop their
own skills while working on
projects of real significance
to their host companies.
Not only does the Saltire
Foundation organise and
fully fund the programmes,
they assist students in
accessing, networking and
learning from some of the
world’s top business people.
Rebecca undertook a
development focused internship
with Gallus BioPharmaceuticals
in St Louis, USA, while
Shereen specialised in events
management with Grand Hyatt
in Dubai. Both students not only
experienced working life abroad,
they were encouraged to immerse
themselves in the culture of the
country.
While not engaged in work,
Rebecca experienced the 4th of July
celebrations, the Fair St. Louis party,
her first baseball game, a torch-lit trip
through a museum and volunteering at
the city’s stray dog centre. At the office,
she conducted focus groups, took part
in interviews with senior staff, carried out
projects and made recommendations to
the Board of Directors. She wrote in her
blog: “The Saltire Scholarships really is the
best experience I have ever had! All of what
I have learned over the past three years at
university is being put into practice, in both
my everyday world and the business world,
so I am leaning more than I ever thought
I would. This trip is a psychologist’s and
sociologist’s dream!”
Having been initially daunted by the challenge
of working at Gallus, she said: “The feedback I
have received has been flattering and builds my
confidence every day, to the point where I know
now that I can do this, and not only here in the
USA, but next year when I have graduated. My
success is all up to me.”
With access to all management meetings,
Shereen Fazeli greatly benefited from seeing
how the Grand Hyatt creates an event from start
to finish by gaining an insight into each detailed
step of the event management process. During
her internship she was involved in a graduation
ceremony as well as traditional celebratory
events for Ramadan. Outside work Shereen
sampled some of the delights of the Middle
East when she had high tea at the seven star
The Saltire Scholarships
really is the best experience
I have ever had! All of what
I have learned over the past
three years at university is
being put into practice
Burj Al Arab hotel and visited the Sheik Zayed
Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Professor Petra Wend, QMU's Principal, said:
“Saltire Scholarships provide students with
global business experience. It is rewarding to
see students creating their own goals, rising
to the challenges set by these high profile
businesses, gaining exposure to high level
decision making and being able to offer their
own solutions to business issues. There is
no doubt that the skills, knowledge and life
experience gained during these scholarships
gives students a competitive advantage when
entering the jobs market.”
Professor Wend continued: “QMU is committed
to enhancing the student experience. We have
now become a Saltire Foundation University
Partner which should open up more world-
class placement and networking opportunities
for future QMU students.” ❒
If you would like more information on how you
can support student scholarships or travel
opportunities for students at QMU, please
visit W: qmu.ac.uk/donate or contact Raquel
Carbo on T: 0131 474 0000.
QMYOU / Student Internships
9