Can you describe your journey getting to university?

I’ve always been fascinated by science, especially forensics. I knew I wanted to pursue a degree that covered both, my personal interests (crime/police), and my academic strong points (sciences). The journey to university felt like a big step, but once I arrived, RGU made the transition much smoother than I expected. I felt supported from the start, both personally and academically.

How would you describe the learning environment and support at RGU?

The learning environment was incredibly supportive. The lecturers were approachable and genuinely cared about our progress. Most of them were very accommodating and went the extra mile to make sure we understood complex topics. The class sizes felt personal enough that you weren’t just a number, and I always felt I could ask questions or seek extra guidance when needed.

Did you take part in any placement, internships or industry projects during your studies?

I carried out all of my research for my final year project at the James Hutton Institute, which gave me the experience of being in a real working lab (and workplace), and gave me connections in the industry that I never would have gotten elsewhere.

Tell us about your current role and what a typical day looks like?

I’m currently a Quality Control Technician at BrewDog. My role is a great mix of analytical, microbiological, and sensory work (tasting). It’s a really varied role that keeps me on my toes, and I love being able to apply the lab skills I developed at RGU in such a practical, fast-paced industry

What are you currently working on or excited about for the future?

What excites me most about the future is how open-ended my degree has made my career path. Forensic and Analytical Science gives you such a wide skill set that can be applied across multiple industries. I’ve already had experience within oil and gas, and now I’m working in the brewing industry within the food and drink sector. It’s exciting to know that these analytical and problem-solving skills are transferable, and that there are so many different directions my career could take in the years ahead

Did your time at RGU influence the person you’ve become?

Definitely. My time at RGU gave me not just a degree but also the confidence to step into different industries. The support from lecturers and the hands-on experience in the labs pushed me to challenge myself and proved that I could adapt my skills to lots of different settings. I left RGU more resilient, more adaptable, and more open to opportunities than when I started.

Imagine you’re back at RGU as a guest speaker – what would you love to share with the students?

I’d tell students to really make the most of the opportunities available to them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, lean on the support from lecturers, and take advantage of the amazing facilities because those experiences build skills you’ll carry into your career. And don’t worry if you’re unsure of the exact path you want to take, the skills you gain at RGU are so transferable that you’ll have options in industries you might not even have thought about yet.

In one word, how would you sum up your RGU experience?

Rewarding – every experience, from labs to lecturers to industry exposure, left me better equipped for my future, career-wise, and personally.