The first female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry inspired hundreds of graduates yesterday as they looked forward to the future.
Professor Lesley Yellowlees told the crowd to be “true to yourself and believe in yourself” as they picked up their degrees from Aberdeen University.
More than 300 graduands took to the stage in Elphinstone Hall to collect their various degrees and mark years of hard work and study.
Prof Yellowlees, Edinburgh University’s vice-principal and head of college of science and engineering, was also presented with an honorary doctor of science degree.
Her advice for the group was to seize opportunities, and “not to be afraid to say yes”.
She said: “Say yes. So often today we, and women in particular, are encouraged to learn to say no but I would urge you to look for opportunities, grasp them with both hands and not to be afraid to say yes.
“My guiding principle has been to never look back and wish I’d done something. I’ve enjoyed the best of times and occasionally when it doesn’t work out – I learn and move on.”
Professor Yellowlees was the only woman graduate in her chemistry class at Edinburgh University.
She was also the first female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry – which is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary – and is one of their 175 Faces of Chemistry.
She told the graduates not to do too much at once, to give back, but most importantly to be true to themselves.
She added: “Be true to yourself and believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself why should anyone else?
“Find your style and stick with it but watch successful people you meet along the way and learn by observation. Remember you have to be able to sleep at night.”
Professor Yellowlees also urged the graduates to not waste their bright futures and to continue working hard.
She said: “So, tomorrow – or the next day depending on how well you celebrate tonight – you will look to your future. Embrace it as a wonderful opportunity and don’t waste too much of it.
“Decide what success means to you and go for it. Work hard but remember to stop sometimes and smell the roses – they can smell very sweet.”
