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Sitting here thinking of the summer ahead, my exams now seemingly a distant memory and my part time job a thing of the past, I cannot help thinking of how I felt this time last year. How many others can say that they spent two months living and working in New York City for one of the world’s leading investment banks?! Thanks to the SaltireFoundation, I was given the opportunity to experience life in what many consider the greatest city in the world. I was able to live and breathe in the unique metropolitan environment of the 'Big Apple' and met many new and interesting people - some who will become lifelong friends. More importantly, the SaltireFoundation afforded me opportunity to work and thrive in the competitive and stressful environment of international finance, giving me a new determination and drive to succeed when I returned across the pond.

A lot has happened in the year since I returned. I've conquered 'the dissertation', powered through my finals and braved the dreaded world that is graduate recruitment. Fortunately, I've managed to secure a graduate job as a trainee actuary at Hymans Robertson. They are one of the UK's leading independent actuarial consulting firms, specialising in investments and benefits. Sometimes I still can't believe that I was successful over so many candidates, especially when I was one of the few not coming from an actuarial science\statistics background. However, I believe that the impressiveness of the SaltireFoundation on my CV and the confidence that I developed on my internship last summer played a vital part in my success.

Sadly, I won’t be able to meet all you new Saltires and welcome you into the club at the initial networking event as I’ll be on holiday. However, I couldn’t resist the calls of NYC again this summer and am going to be travelling the USA the same time that your internships will be. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet up with some of you the other side of the pond.

All the best,

Graeme