Hey everyone!
My name is Natalie and I have just finished my third year of studying BA Business Economics. I will soon be heading to Singapore to be a business analysis intern for DHL Supply Chain and as it is getting closer to departure times I am getting really excited!
DHL in Singapore have not previously had a Saltire intern so this will be a first for both of us! My project consists mainly of analysing compensation and benefits packages combined with salary analysis to insert a grading system to Asia and Pacific employee's - scary stuff!! Initially I will be working mostly on my own but toward the final stages my TL will be involved to implicate the system so fingers crossed it all goes according to plan!
At the networking event I met all previous interns I had been in contact with like Sarah and Lucy who were extremely helpful through the entire application process - Lucy even interviewed me! I also met my mentor Cally who had worked in Singapore last year but with a different company. She gave me bundles of advice in the form of a facebook novel which was hugely appreciated!
With my excitement I have been frantically researching things to do in Singapore for my weekends and my first plans are to go on a night safari, go horseriding through the jungle, swim with sharks and have a ride on the enormous DHL hot air balloon...how awesome will my weekends be hehe!
A few weeks ago my TL got in contact with me through a conference call to discuss what I will be doing over there. I thought this was really helpful as I was a bit apprehensive of what their expectations of me were. The call put me at ease, he explained what software packages I will be using and what to expect, so I am brushing up on that before I go and also reading some books on understanding some of the accounts I will be looking at. Its already starting to be a real learning experience as I am looking at material I would never have thought to before this opportunity!
The reason I chose the above title is to firstly relate to DHL being the worlds leading logistics company using all modes of transportation and secondly, as of Monday 28th thats all I will be involved in! I will be flying out to Florida for two weeks for a quick holiday then when I get back for a few days I will be swiftly jetting out to Singapore! I am not thinking of the jetlag aspect but more so of how exciting the life of an International jetsetter is! I kind of feel quite important already!
Over the past few weeks I have also been in contact with the PR for my University who wanted to write an article on the first UWS successful Saltire applicants. It has been a blur of newspaper articles (mostly initiated by my proud parents) and photo's - which are not flattering! Apparently Lynn and myself will be in the Evening Times, Sunday Express and our local newspapers with a Saltire drapped around our shoulders and a laptop in hand!
Reading all the blogs from the interns already away is amazing, it really sounds like they are having a fantastic time! I wish all the interns out already and all preparing to leave the best of luck with their work and hopefully we will have hundreds of stories to share the next time we meet! Good luck guys!!
Natalie