A 50-year-old Aberdeen woman has graduated with an HND in visual communication – after a career break of more than 20 years.
Allane Sinclair from Danestone studied at art school for three years, before working as a graphic artist for a decade.
She took time off work in 1995 to raise her three children – Ashley, Hayley and Scott – and is now looking to re-start her career with her new qualification under her belt.
“Once my children grew up I decided that if I wanted to do it again I would have to retrain,” she said.
“The industry and its technology move so fast.”
After initially completing an NC in visual communication and photography, Ms Sinclair went on to attain her HND.
She said: “The HND was fabulous. I was the oldest in the class by far, but I wouldn’t change anything about the experience at all.
“I lost confidence in myself before going back to education, but college proved to me that I was still capable and that I still had artistic abilities.
“As an older person being in a class with young people actually gives you a different perspective on things, which I think, along with the tutors’ belief in me, helped to build my confidence.
“I would tell anyone who is thinking of going back to education to just go for it. Don’t be put off my age or experience – there is nothing better than doing what you love. I turned 50 this year and college was the best decision I ever made.”