The School of Management and Languages (SML) Internship Programme has officially launched this week.
Recognising that more than ever students are seeking real experience of the business environment to help them embark on a meaningful graduate career, this new internship programme has been designed to provide placements for final year students with a range of businesses - from global institutions to smaller specialist companies. The paid 24-week internships, lasting from mid-June to the start of December, aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice as well as give students a competitive edge in the market.
Open to final year students
Open to fourth year students on the School's Accountancy and Finance, Business Management, and Economics undergraduate degree programmes the placements are awarded on a competitive basis following rigourous assessment by both the School and the placement organisation. Linda McGilvray, Director of the SML Internship programme, said "With so many employers rating relevant work experience as the most important thing that they look for in potential employees, internships are fast becoming a necessary step to gaining the vital experience needed to enter the job market. And alongside enhancing career prospects internships are also a great way for students to put all the knowledge and skills they've gained during the first three years of their degree into practice."
Diageo internship
Vera Shkatova, a fourth year Accountancy and Finance student in the School of Management and Languages, recently undertook her internship with Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business. Placed within Diageo's European Supply Commercial Finance Team, Vera worked on several complex and challenging projects including project appraisal, which involved establishing a Scottish Vehicles Database, and resulted in the firm having an opportunity to make significant and quantifiable cost savings. Vera was also involved in a management accounting project with a focus on whisky! The projects undertaken by Vera will deliver long-term benefits to the firm and have implications for the firm's strategy.
Vera's supervisor, Phil Garden, Decision Support Manager in the Commercial Finance Team at Diageo, said: "Vera has built a sufficiently strong reputation within our Commercial Finance Team here at Diageo that people are asking unprompted for her support on projects €” again a reflection on the quality of project delivery she has demonstrated over the course of her internship with us."
Vera gained an A grade for her internship with Diageo, and has been offered employment with Diageo after she graduates this summer.
Diageo have been extremely satisfied with their participation and outcomes from the SML Internship Programme, and have
already agreed to take one or two interns through the programme in 2013.
Further details
Information on the SML Internship Programme can be found on VISION.
You can also contact the SML Internship Programme.