MA English Literature and Film & Visual Culture, 2011
From Aberdeen to Acting
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen?
Aberdeen is my hometown. It has an excellent reputation for English Literature and an absolutely stunning campus steeped in history.
Why did you choose your particular course?
I had a strong passion for Film as well as English Literature. I wanted to continue my studies in this area and see where the possibilities could take me.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences?
Centre Stage was a great experience and I got to work on my craft as an actor in productions of Macbeth and American Buffalo amongst many others.
If you were involved in any clubs and societies as a student, what did you enjoy most about them and what benefit do you think they have for students?
I went to Peru to climb Machu Picchu for Childreach International which was organised through the University. This was an incredible experience and something which I feel all students would benefit from; the opportunity to see amazing places and do so for a good cause.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen?
Throw yourself into the deep end and make the most of your time. Engage with your classmates and see where your true passions lie by joining societies and seeking out experiences.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen?
Sales Advisor at Burton Menswear.
What did your first role involve?
I worked in a shop in the Bon Accord Centre serving customers and managing the staff in a supervisor role.
What is your current job title?
Actor.
What is your current role?
Pretending to be other people!
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now.
Three years after graduating I was accepted into Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. From there I trained, landed an agent and worked with companies including Warner Brothers, The National Theatre, Dundee Rep, ITV and the BBC.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way?
It was essential in that it gave me life experience, critical thinking skills and an ability to manage deadlines. It also allowed me to spend my time performing in plays.
One Top Tip
Be open minded. Your degree is a piece in the puzzle of who you are and the university experience as a whole will inform your future, rather than just the degree subject.
