Farmer's daughter from Highlands becomes Donald Trump's latest apprentice

Published on 12/08/2011 17:55

A YOUNG Scot has swapped the farmlands of the Highlands for the skyscrapers of New York after landing a coveted job with the tycoon Donald Trump.

Jane Manson, 22, a farmer's daughter from Invergordon, is spending eight weeks working on the 26th floor of Trump Towers in Manhattan this summer as the billionaire's latest "Apprentice".

The former Fortrose Academy pupil was told "You're hired" and offered the sought-after place with the Trump Organisation through the Saltire Foundation's international development internship programme.

She was selected from among the top students in the country and came through four interviews to secure the job.

Ms Manson, a fourth-year student in international business at Strathclyde University, will now help develop Trump's controversial plans for the "world's greatest golf course" at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. And she has kept a blog of her internship at Trump Towers in which she declares that she is "living the dream".

In her blog, Jane describes how she "hit the ground running" within hours of arriving at the centre of the Trump empire. The student states: "Monday 9am, standing on 5th Avenue, New York. Just about to enter Trump Tower for the first time. Was a totally surreal moment.

"Trump Tower is very impressive - no wonder it is the third most-visited-by-tourists place in New York. I am working on the 26th floor so the views over 5th Avenue, Central Park and across the iconic New York skyline are amazing. My desk is in the centre of the office so I am literally in the middle of it all and feel involved in everything that is going on. From my desk I can see into Mr Trump's office and right behind me is the boardroom that inspired the boardroom of American Apprentice."

She continues: "Having watched people waiting to speak to Mr Trump all morning, it was after lunch that I had my introduction to the most famous businessman in the world. He is just as he is on TV and I must admit to being a little star-struck at first. Now I get to work with him daily."

Ms Manson states: "My first week flew by. I landed in New York on Sunday and hit the ground running on Monday. From the first day I was given tasks and felt immediately involved with some large projects. Every day has been so different, the energy is incredible and there are definitely some big personalities in the office. I love going to work every day. It definitely feels like I'm living the dream!"

Ms Manson is one of two business students from Strathclyde University who have been given the chance to work on the Trump Organisation's Menie golf resort development this summer.

Andrew Carey, from St Andrews, has also joined the Menie team.Mr Carey, who is based at the Trump estate in Scotland, said: "I believe that the development of Trump International Golf Links Scotland is just the kind of scheme that Scotland needs in the current economic climate."