Find your potential - Kieran McIntosh

Whilst I started University unsure of what lay ahead, I was determined to make the most of my time in Dundee. I knew if I could attain a solid degree classification and couple that with internship experience my chances of graduate employment would increase. I feel that whilst I started with no knowledge of what lay ahead, I always had an end-result in mind and that it was just a case of making incremental changes throughout the 4 years that were consistent with that end-result.  Ultimately, if you don’t know where you are going you will wind up somewhere else- always have that end goal/vision in mind and you will get what you deserve.

My main achievements were:

-Corporate Treasury Intern at Jabil Inc. (St. Petersburg, Florida) Summer 2017

-Saltire Scholar (Entrepreneurial Scotland)

-Scottish Young Edge Finalist 2018

-Venture Competition Winners 2018

-KPMG Student Brand Manager. (Dundee) 2017-18

-Finance Intern at NCR Corp. (Dundee) Summer 2016

-Commercial Intern at Canyon Offshore. (Aberdeen) February 2016

My biggest achievement from my time in Dundee was becoming a Saltire Scholar and having the opportunity to intern in Florida for 10 weeks with Jabil Inc. The experience of working at the HQ of a Fortune 200 company and having the exposure to C-suite executives was something I never imagined possible. Whilst my professional knowledge benefited from the day-to-day workings of a Corporate Treasury Dept, the career advice and life advice I attained form business leaders was invaluable. On top of this, meeting 5 other Scottish interns and being able to explore everything Florida had to offer with them was incredible. The experience helped me think bigger and changed my outlook on the opportunities and lifestyles available. I came back to University determined to finish my degree and continue building a strong personal network.

The one thing I learned about myself during my time at University was to always have the fortitude to do the right thing and not the easy thing. I think if you look at the rate of change in today’s society you really need to be orchestrating a solid value proposition for yourself whilst at University- don’t waste your summers! At no other time in your life do you have 4 years to ‘act today instead of tomorrow’- so put yourself first, always be accountable for your successes/failures, and never stop learning.

I am looking forward to a well-deserved summer before joining Anderson Anderson and Brown LLP as a Trainee Accountant in their Corporate Finance department in August. Excited to join such a forward thinking and ambitious firm at a time of continued growth and expansion. Cannot wait to get started in a team formally recognised as Scotland’s deal maker of the year for the 13th consecutive year. So here’s to the next 3 years of ICAS and some exciting times ahead!

Take every opportunity that is presented to you, run-scared, overprepare, find purpose, and apply to The Saltire Foundation.