Grant Ferguson,
BEng (Hons) Energy Engineering, 1991
“The course content at Napier, gave me a comprehensive understanding
of engineering principles and their practical application. The knowledge
I gained has proven a great foundation to my continuing CPD.
“Undoubtedly, the six month work placement undertaken in third year
was also hugely beneficial. Following graduation, I was employed by the
same organisation and this was at a time when finding graduate job
opportunities was challenging.
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“As my career has developed, I have had numerous roles with the most recent being as Assistant Director
within Property & Facilities at Edinburgh Napier.
“Prior to joining the University five years ago, I was employed within the NHS. My last role there was
leading the department where I had started as a student intern on a six month placement!
“I have always had technical roles covering the broad spectrum of what is commonly known as ‘Hard
Services’ and the theory and experience at Edinburgh Napier was a solid foundation to lifelong learning
that has been desirable to employers.
“I have lots of good memories, even though it’s over 20 years ago! One entertaining afternoon was a trip to
see the process engineering at a local brewery. Instead of seeing a group of students arriving and locking the
doors, we were shown into a very plush room after the formal tour and offered a taste of some products off
the production line. Obviously this was very well received but they forgot to tell us to have one drink and go;
two hours later we were still there!“
Gwen Hamilton,
Export Studies with Languages (French & Japanese), 1992
“I remember my time at Napier very well – like it was yesterday! There
were about 30 of us on the course and only five guys, which was a bit
disappointing at first! We had many amusing Japanese lectures in which
us students would tease the poor teacher by getting her to repeat words
like ‘peanuts’ and learning useful phrases like ‘Nihon no ebi okii desu’ –
Japanese prawns are big. I am still very good friends with a few of my
classmates and through Facebook have caught up with a few more. Our
biggest post-graduation claim to fame was that Cameron Stout, winner
of Big Brother in 2003, was one of our five blokes! Cameron wearing his dungarees around campus is a
particular highlight too; thank you Cameron.
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“Following my degree, I was lucky enough to be one of 10 trainees recruited by Maersk in London on their
Graduate Trainee programme. Maersk are one of the biggest shipping companies in the world and offered
a fantastic opportunity to trainees.
“After Maersk, I decided to spread my wings and go travelling so spent a couple of years visiting North
America, Australia and New Zealand. When I came back to Edinburgh, I had a bit of a career change and
started in marketing roles – with Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd, VisitScotland’s Business Tourism
team and then one of Edinburgh’s best loved brands and visitor attractions, Edinburgh Zoo. I headed up the
marketing team there and was heavily involved in the launch of the £5m chimpanzee home, Budongo Trail.
“My current role is Marketing and Communications Manager for Scottish Government Legacy 2014 team,
the team responsible for delivering on the legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This role is
about ensuring that Scotland feels the benefit of the Games, and that we, as a nation, enjoy more than just
11 days of spectacular sport.
“My most satisfying achievement is that I’ve managed to progress my career whilst still finding time to be
a mum to Lauryn and Sam.”