Two farmer’s daughters from Aberdeenshire have become the first in their respective families to graduate from university.
Christine Marshall, of Inverurie, and Johanna Bruce, of Alford, knew each other through the region’s close-knit young farmers groups, and their friendship grew further still at RGU.
Miss Marshall, who has secured a job at Aker Solutions, said she was “looking forward to the future” having graduated from RGU with a degree in management.
She said: “Living within the outskirts of the oil and gas capital, management was a subject that would lead to ample opportunities for career development.
“I have taken time off to enjoy life outside on the family farm during the summer months and to spend some time with my boyfriend. In August, I start my graduate job.
“I’m keen and ready to tackle full-time employment and any further training on offer and really looking forward to the new experience.”
Miss Bruce, who will begin chartered accountancy training having secured a job at Anderson, Anderson and Brown, said: “Being brought up on the family farm has instilled in me a business nature.
“I have always been interested in the financial side of things and enjoyed business and numerical subjects at school so it seemed like a natural choice.
“University also gave me the chance to meet lots of new people with similar interests and make new friends.”
Both woman are still actively involved in the young farmers activities, having spent much of the summer so far socialising at local shows.