Szymon Iskierka

Szymon’s journey into higher education wasn’t a straightforward path. When he was 18, he made the decision to leave his initial university because he felt the course wasn’t the right fit for him. He took some time to work in retail and gain practical experience, using this period to reflect on and consider his next steps.   

However, he remained determined to pursue higher education. Toward the end of the UCAS cycle, he made the bold choice to give it another shot. He applied to Abertay, drawn by the university’s smaller and more intimate environment. 

At Abertay, I felt much closer to my lecturers and had more opportunities for one-to-one support. I was always the one raising my hand in class, asking questions. I also appreciated how the course eased us in gently so that we weren’t overwhelmed the beginning.

In his second year, Szymon’s dedication and hard work paid off when he was awarded the Alexander DJ Kydd prize for the best overall performance on his programme. This recognition not only highlighted his academic achievements but also boosted his confidence and motivated him to pursue further opportunities beyond the classroom.  

Keen to broaden his horizons further, Szymon applied for the highly competitive Saltire Scholarship. As part of the programme, students have the opportunity to undertake 8-12 week funded summer internships with host companies around the world, providing valuable real-world industry experience and networking opportunities. 

After numerous interviews and assessment centres, Szymon secured a three-month internship in Calgary, Canada, at Precision Drilling, one of the largest oil and gas equipment companies in North America. 

It was exciting but daunting to be in a new country and environment, but I settled in quickly. The apartment I stayed in even had a breath-taking view of the Rocky Mountains.

The internship provided Szymon with valuable insights into corporate office life, project management, and networking. He took the lead on a major project focused on debt consolidation, managing all aspects of planning and research independently — a significant responsibility that elevated his skills to new heights. 

Szymon said:  

Having the opportunity to spend three months in Canada was incredibly useful. I had to learn various accounting systems and how to track invoices, among other things. It was a lot of accounting basics, but in a real-world setting. I honestly wouldn’t have had this opportunity if it weren’t for the Saltire Scholarship programme.

Building on his experience in Canada, Szymon’s confidence and skills grew substantially. His dedication paid off when he secured a role at EY, a renowned accounting firm, through their graduate programme in Aberdeen, starting this September. In this new role, he will be working on their tax programme, taking an important step in his career with the goal of becoming a tax accountant at EY. From there, he will begin working towards achieving his accountant accreditation through ICAS. 

Building on his experience in Canada, Szymon’s confidence and skills grew substantially. His dedication paid off when he secured a role at renowned account firm EY, through their graduate programme, starting this September. In this role, he’ll be working within the firm’s tax division—an important step towards his goal of becoming a tax accountant. From there, he plans to work towards his professional accreditation through ICAS.