Aidan McDonagh

2011 Scholar, Heriot-Watt University

Jabil

Aidan McDonagh went to school in Perth before moving to Edinburgh in 2008 to study Mathematics with Psychology at Heriot-Watt University. Aidan excelled both academically and in his extra-curricular interests-- gaining a part time job at the University, starting a Jazz Club and being elected President of Heriot Watt's highly regarded Drama Society. Aidan says: "By the beginning of third year I had reached the point where I needed some experience outside of the pen, paper and calculator world of Maths; an experience that put not only these technical abilities to good use, but also one that developed my leadership and people skills. I was up for a big challenge".

He found this challenge in the Saltire Scholar programme and embarked on an eight-week placement with Jabil Circuit in Florida, after being awarded the McGibbon Scholarship. Aidan's project was to implement a new reporting tool called Business Intelligence. He says: "Confidence and independence (and perhaps confidence in independence) were two of various skills I developed extensively during my time at Jabil Circuit. I have come back to my final year at university an even more motivated person, with the confidence that whatever I do after graduating, I have the skills to adapt to that work, as well as the self-belief to undertake new things."

Aidan says: "I came back rejuvenated, despite this last summer being one of the busiest I've ever had! I'm ready to work harder than I ever have in this last year, with the knowledge that giving my all will help me get to where I want to be. I believe that my future will be something completely worth working toward."