D&A Alumni

1. What course did you study with us? Why did you choose this?
Office Administration / it was a part of an Angus Council 2 year YTS placement at the time.

2. Where are you now? Was this always your plan?
I am now the Joint MD for The Astute Group. It wasn’t part of the plan at all.

3. How did College prepare you for what you did next?
At the time, it took me out of my comfort zone in terms of social skills and introduced me to a different set of life skills that I did not have beforehand. Typing, office administration etc, which as it turned out held me in good stead many years later.

4. What's your favourite memory of College?
Back then I had come straight from high school where we had engaged with the same people, the same age, in the same classes for many years. Angus College allowed me to meet and engage with a range of human beings, from different cultures, at different ages, it brought me out of my shell. At that time, the college was modern, the environment was “grown up” and I was learning new skills that I would not have had had I not attended college.

5. What advice would you give to current students or those thinking about coming to College?
Be very open minded, be positive and embrace the experience. The college is an excellent platform to grow and develop your people skills. The lecturers are very experienced and are in position to support you in taking your education to the next level. Everybody is there to help you!

1. What course did you study with us? 
I studied HND Computing from 2000 to 2002 at the college’s old Constitution Road campus. It was actually my secondary school guidance teacher who told me to consider college as a next step, rather than university. I'm glad I listened to her.

2. Where are you now? 
My life is very random and wasn’t to plan! Well, maybe the first part was, but definitely not the latter part!
After college I went to Abertay University for 2 years to get my Honours degree in Computing Games Development where part of the Honours year was to make a computer game. This led to me teaming up with a university friend to start a company making mobile phone games. We sold that company in 2012 and became part of a bigger company which we sold in 2021. I still am a board member there but then went on to do a few more things…I bought a zoo, started a gluten free brewery, launched a 21st century ice cream van franchise, set up an eSports business and now make whisky. I have also made a few investments in other businesses that people don't know about and am the biggest shareholder of Brechin City Football Club!

3. How did College prepare you for what you did next?
The college played a massive part in my journey. I would never have lasted at university as I didn't have the discipline needed straight from school. At college, the lecturers still chase you for work like they do at school (and get you in trouble!) but at university they don't if you don't hand in your essays or coursework - you just fail the course. I’m not sure that reasoning reflects well on me, but it was totally true for me and helped me massively!

4. What's your favourite memory of College?
My favourite memory of college was meeting new people and the feeling of growing up a bit. Making new friend circles with people on the same course, going to the Bread pub at lunch time to play pool... all these things were new to me as we certainly couldn’t do that at school!

5. What advice would you give to current students or those thinking about coming to College?
I’m really happy I got to experience both college and university. I am a big advocate for college for anyone who might have that inner feeling of doubt to signing up. It helped me loads and I wouldn't be where I am today without that first step.