How would you describe the learning environment and support at RGU? Did you take part in any placement, internships or industry projects during your studies?

I thought it was a great balance of tutorials, lectures and industry experience. I was lucky to secure a work placement at Trend Magazine where I was involved in a fashion show project at the Marcliffe Hotel. This kind of experience at such a young age was invaluable and contributed to getting me ready for working life 

How well do you feel RGU prepared you for your career?

The course I studied was so varied that it gave me the flexibility to choose from several different career paths. After graduating, I took roles in business development, event management, and marketing, and I also spent 7 years as an Executive Assistant to C-suite leaders in the beer and investment industries.

Even now - 14 years after graduating - I still use the skills I gained during my degree.

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

I’m a Communications Advisor at Port of Aberdeen and, as cliché as it sounds, no two days are ever the same.

Since joining in July 2023, I’ve worked on some incredible projects. A standout moment was being part of the team that delivered the opening event of the new South Harbour, which included a visit from The Princess Royal - a true ‘pinch-me’ moment! Another highlight was leading the digital strategy for the Tall Ships Races, which returned to Aberdeen for the first time in 28 years. I was responsible for the social media strategy and keeping our website up to date throughout the event - an amazing career milestone that will be hard to top!

While those projects were amazing, what I love most about my role is its variety. I lead on marketing, social media, and events, as well as building relationships with our charity partners. It’s a role where I’m constantly learning, and there’s always something exciting happening - I really love what I do 

Did your time at RGU influence the person you’ve become? What’s something surprising people might not know about you?

Absolutely. What many people don’t know is that before I joined RGU - through clearing, the day before term started - I was actually planning to go to Art School. I’d even enrolled in a portfolio-building course at college, but a month in I dropped out and took a full-time job in a deli.

At 17, I was panicked and unsure of what I was going to do. Luckily, I realised that being creative didn’t only have to mean going to Art School. I contacted RGU Clearing, and with my grades, I secured a place on the Communications with Public Relations course - and I ended up loving every minute of it.

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

It’s completely fine not to have a clear career path in mind and not to overthink it. When I graduated, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I took opportunities as they came along. That openness led me to a career I never expected - in the best possible way!

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

Empowering