We share the stories behind some of this year's October graduates
Hat-trick of degrees for Pamela
Hard-working Pamela Davidson has graduated from Edinburgh Napier for the third time.
The 28-year-old completed her hat-trick of degrees when she collected an MSc in Applied Criminology and Forensic Psychology at the Usher Hall this week.
Pamela, from Blackhall, Edinburgh, had originally wanted to teach design in secondary school. She first graduated in 2010 with a BDes (Hons) in Product Design.
However, she became interested in mental health and realised her real passion was for working in a helping profession.
The change of career plan led to her doing a second degree, graduating in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, a degree which she combined with work as a Student Ambassador.
She then applied for the MSc with the hope of working with prisoners or offenders, and wrote her dissertation on the impact of imprisonment on families.
Pamela said: “I had no doubts about studying at Edinburgh Napier again, and it was worth working part-time whilst paying my fees and achieving my best grade yet.”
She added: “I am now looking for a job role relating to this and would love to pursue further research in this area in the form of a PhD.”
From mixing desk to the stage for Mark
Mark Harding took centre stage at this week’s graduations – after previously filming the ceremony as part of the official camera crew.
The 36-year-old, who had been working as a freelance camera operator, joined the filming team recording the ceremony as a favour to a colleague who found himself a man short.
He last worked at the Usher Hall event in October 2015, but this week he was in front of the lens as he crossed the stage with his MA in Screenwriting.
Mark, of Edinburgh, said: “I thought I’d missed the boat, but my wife gave me the confidence to apply and go after what I really wanted.
“Now my future career plan is to do everything required to get the films that I write, made.”
Natasha graduates in Edinburgh
A student from a programme the university delivers in Sri Lanka chose to graduate here in Edinburgh.
Natasha Dilshani Siribaddana did her BSc in Biomedical Science at the Spectrum Institute of Science & Technology in Colombo
She said: “It was important for me to visit Edinburgh for my graduation because it is such a beautiful place, and especially to see the university with which I studied my degree.
“Scotland is full of historical places and lovely people. I always wanted to study in the UK but it was too expensive, and with the help of Spectrum I could finish my BSc in Sri Lanka itself. It was a great experience.”