ABIGAIL HOBILL AND CLAIRE MARTIN

2011 Saltire Scholars, St Andrews University and University of Strathclyde

Vets Now

Tell us a bit about yourself….

A: I am in my final year at St Andrews University studying a degree in Biochemistry. I grew up in a village on the outskirts of Oxford in England but moved up to Scotland when I began my degree a few years ago. My internship with Vets Now gave me the opportunity to live in Scotland's capital city for a summer, which I loved!

C: I'm in my honours year at Strathclyde University studying for a BA in Marketing and Business Enterprise. I have grown up in Scotland my whole life, predominantly in the Glasgow area.

What did your internship involve?

A: During my time at Vets Now, I joined the digital marketing team. While here my main project was to help produce a website that aimed to be the central online hub for all pet users - it will be what MumsNet is for mums, what Tripadvisor is for those on…trips; the website will be everything a pet owner could wish for online and more.

I was involved in many meetings including those with outside companies involved in the digital programming and design of the site and it was just generally a really exciting time to be involved with the project- over the two months I was there, the audience building facebook page grew from around 500 likes to 40,000 and the sites' content went from a first draft to finalised plan to be built!

C: I predominantly worked within Vets Now's recruitment team over my 8 week placement. While here I was assigned an individual project which was to investigate the possibility of establishing an external veterinary recruitment agency. My project saw me conducting market research and business analysis to see if this would be a viable business venture.

What has your Saltire Foundation experience meant to you?

A: I felt a true member of the team and I was very flattered at how much I felt my opinion was valued. I really enjoyed working in the team I was placed with, everyone had a great sense of humour but I also thrived, along with everyone involved, in the excitement of the new project.

I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity, as a biochemist at university, I can see that I was somewhat of a risk candidate for this placement, with such little previous business knowledge, so I understand how lucky I have been to have this experience so far from my usual field. And what an experience!

C: My summer internship at Vets Now has been unique and one that I will never forget. The experience completely revolutionised my preconceptions of what it would be like to work in an office type environment; not only were there a limitless amount of projects and activities to get involved with at every turn, but there was also a complete integration of all departments and people, ruling out any traditional company hierarchy or limits to what type of work you became engaged with. I have gained not only experience from my time with Vets Now but also confidence in my own abilities and ability to operate successfully in a corporate environment

What is the main benefit of having become a Scholar?

C: I think I can speak for both Abby and myself in saying that one of the main benefits of becoming a scholar is that we are now part of a broader business support network. I have learned that my opinions do matter in the business world and that I will be able to make a difference in terms of my own career and in supporting future Saltire Scholars who join the network.