MEET SOME UNI-LINKERS
Gemma Pittendreigh
// HND Social Sciences // BA (Hons) in Applied Social Sciences
Gemma left Ellon Academy at 15 to study business administration at ABERDEEN COLLEGE. She said, 'I never dreamed I would go on to university never mind graduate with an Honours degree. My family hoped that I would but it was not something that was really presented to me as an option at school so I never pursued it.'
Gemma left college after a year knowing that she did not want to be an administrator so spent a few years in retail before deciding it was time to get back to studying and do something with her life.
Gemma then went back to ABERDEEN COLLEGE, first enrolling in an introduction course in social science, progressing to an HNC and graduating with a HND.
She continues, 'I was given the option of going to university and the college staff supported me through my application, after all it is a huge transition to make. I found myself applying for direct entry into third year which was pretty daunting at first. It took me a year just to find my way around the library and get to grips with the marking system and the way everything worked.'
By fourth year Gemma had settled in and she feels she began to mature as a person and as a student. She continues, 'It was great to be a part of the whole university experience. I can't believe it's come to an end and it is time to graduate.
'It will be good to start earning a full-time wage. I've been with my boyfriend Craig for six years so we'll be starting to look for our own place when he finishes his police training.'
Gemma is considering coming back to RGU in the future to do a post graduate qualification in social work. For now she would like to pursue community work with children or the homeless, an issue which she feels strongly about.
'I'll be the first in the family to graduate with an Honours degree. My dad has a social work and a nursing degree and he has been a huge influence on me choosing to work in the public sector. My family are all very proud of me and my grandparents, uncle, aunt and cousins will be travelling to Aberdeen to celebrate with me.
'I just wanted people to know that if you want something you have to go for it. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you want a change in career or want to return to education then you should do it. There are people out there willing to help you; it just takes that first step. I never dreamed that I would go to university, but I did and here I am graduating with Honours and I'm glad that my family will be there to celebrate with me.'
