1990s

It's fair to say that J.M. Hirsch fell in love with Edinburgh while a student here in the 1990s. He has since brought his son to visit the city, and proposed to his now-husband on Calton Hill. He tell us about his time studying Philosophy and how he turned a passion for food into a busy writing career.

Alan Addison overcame previously undiagnosed dyslexia to study at the University and change his career from carpenter to literacy tutor.

Andy Nairn credits some good luck and sound advice with helping him go from Edinburgh law student to advertising aficionado and author.

Filmmaker and history graduate Dominic Sutherland founded his own video business after honing his skills with the BBC History Unit.

Professor Robert Morrison on retracing the footsteps of English essayist Thomas De Quincey and why Edinburgh Airport features in his favourite student memories.

Guy Windsor knows a thing or two about historical sword fighting. Since co-founding the Dawn Duellist’s Society in 1994, he's set up a school for swordsmanship in Helsinki, written several books and earned a PhD.

Actor-turned-playwright Sarah Rutherford reveals the sources of inspiration behind her darkly comic works and how completing a PhD in English Literature has informed her creative process.

Professor Kim Graham has pursued psychology since picking it up as a second-year outside course. Today she is a leading cognitive neuroscientist and champion of research activities. Here, she reflects on breaking barriers, making a stand and enduring friendships.

On top of maintaining his own strong bonds with Edinburgh, linguistics graduate Jurgen Basstanie has introduced many people to our city through a European training programme.

MSc graduate Dr Rachel Graham founded and directs the non-governmental organisation MarAlliance, working to secure a future for large marine wildlife in collaboration with fishers and coastal communities.

Alongside being a full-time firefighter, physiology graduate Tara Lal is a mental health advocate, PhD researcher, author and surf boat rower.

When Susan Jackson isn't thinking about sports, the chartered accountant and three-time Commonwealth Games athlete is helping to run a homes developer in Fife.

Rachel Weiss founded a charity that encourages people to meet up and talk about the menopause at pop-up events around the UK.

A business degree has proved an invaluable foundation for Zia Manji's career. Starting out in his family's food manufacturing company, he has since moved into consulting, helping to build the first executive search firm in Kenya.

A law scholar turned multimedia artist, Dr Miriam Aziz shows us what can be achieved by pursuing one's curiosity and creativity.

A shoemaker's kindness and Pollock Halls feature in Professor Ali Wardak's memories from his PhD days. In his career since, the criminologist has earned praise for his research which influenced the reform of the justice system in Afghanistan.

After almost a decade working in East Asia, Dr Amy McNeese-Mechan gained a Masters in Social Anthropology, followed by a PhD. A city councillor and trade unionist, she tells us about her many roles and the diverse people she works with.

New York native Peter-James Miller is grateful for his veterinary education. Having been in private practice in Florida for almost 19 years, he has recently published his first novel, which draws on his career.

Sarah Tabrizi describes her journey to setting up the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre and her focused efforts to find an effective treatment for this devastating neurodegenerative disease.

Two-time Edinburgh graduate Dr Catherine Elliott returned to the University to become College Registrar for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine after roles in clinical medicine and medical law in London.

Architect Max de Rosee met his wife at Edinburgh. Together they founded De Rosee Sa, an architectural and interior design practice which has won industry awards.

President of the alumni group in Luxembourg, Leonard Tam describes how he took advantage of many extracurricular activities during his Law studies.

Andrew Needham values the unique life experiences student life gave him, and says that an entrepreneurial spark he discovered at Edinburgh has carried through to his career choices.

While working as a missionary in Ethiopia, Lila Balisky studied Theology and Development at New College. She tells us how the course enhanced her understanding of her own work.

Pilar Luque remembers her time with a touch of poetic romance, and explains how her Edinburgh education made subsequent career choices much easier.

Catherine Thomas's love of her home city led to her complete three degrees at Edinburgh, including her PhD. She explains why she then pursued a career in fundraising.

Daniel Pembrey Cooper went from business executive to best-selling author of the Harbour Master crime series. He tells us how his Edinburgh education influenced the decisions he has made in life.

Jason Miller's year at Edinburgh was a memorable one: he met his future wife, joined a semi-professional rock band, and earned a masters with distinction. He recalls his time at the University.

Liam Kerr has built a richly varied CV while also pursuing musical and other interests. Recently elected to the Scottish Parliament, he says the skills he learned in his degree have stood him in good stead.

Former deep sea diver and Geography graduate Bill Chilton has no regrets and thinks you shouldn't either.

Andrew Symon explores how the broad range of experiences at Edinburgh has shaped his future career as a lecturer and fiction writer.

Sean Michael Wilson's time at Edinburgh led him to meet students from across the world, including someone from Japan, which happens to be where he now lives and works as an award-winning graphic novelist.

Summer jobs and volunteering not only enriched Louise Moir’s time as a student, they influenced her future career choices.

Evangelia Sembou talks about living in a cultural city and her pursuit of an academic career and despite finding Edinburgh cold, she hopes to come back one day.

Elaine Thomson, a three time graduate, reminisces about her time at the University of Edinburgh and encourages students to get their inspiration from everywhere and anywhere.

Sarah Freeman studied English Literature and is now Head of Features for Yorkshire Post. It was during her time at the university that she learned to be proud of her love for poetry and to not spend summers in broom cupboards.

Oliver Stegen ended up in Edinburgh by chance and used his Linguistics degree while living and working among the Rangi in Tanzania, learning their language and helping local teachers to devise a writing system.

Former assistant principal and Great British Bake Off contestant Glenn Cosby still dreams of haggis, neeps and tatties and is returning to his former home in February for the Big Leap.

Jim Strang talks about how Edinburgh became home, his love for his degree and his wide and varied career after graduation.

Cowen House and an evening climb up Arthur’s Seat are stand out memories for broadcast meteorologist Kirsty McCabe, who decided to study geophysics at the age of 12.

Dr Gavin Francis talks to us about his international Medical career and how his love of reading encouraged him to write.

Emmy Award-winning producer and director, Kim Devereux, made the leap and changed careers to become an author after she found she had a talent for writing.

Janey Louise Jones wrote an early draft of her first children’s book on a trip with her History of Art classmates and is now published by Random House where her books have been translated into Mandarin and Portuguese.

Gigi Pandian followed in her mother’s footsteps on a year abroad to Edinburgh where she found inspiration for her mystery novels.

Cate-Nelson Shaw’s career was kickstarted by the University’s Career Service, and having reaped the benefits she is now giving back to students with advice and mentoring nearly twenty years later.

Former teacher and current professional storyteller, Michael Williams explains how his PhD in English literature prepared him for both creative professions.

Susan Cheyne used her summer holidays to explore career options through volunteering, and is reaping the benefits today in her job working with orangutans in Indonesia.

Dynamic Earth's new Scientific Director Dr Hermione Cockburn, talks landscape evolution, small screen success and how her career has come full circle.

Siouxsie Wiles was first captivated by medical microbiology during her undergraduate degree. Now she channels her own enthusiasm to ‘demystify science’ for others through popular blogs, books and animations.

Professor Cousin researches brain function and is directing research at the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre at the University.