Daniel Gear

NB Communication

With winter approaching, a year's placement with a web design company to develop their new website optimisation service, was perfect timing for graduate Daniel Gear. As he explains.

What's your background?

I'm originally from the island of Yell in Shetland. After I finished school, I took a year out to work and save up for university. I studied for a degree in Graphic Design at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, and graduated with First Class Honours.

Why did you apply to the graduate placement programme?

After my degree, I moved back up to Shetland to enjoy the quieter life again. To begin with, I worked for Shetland Grasscutting Services, as a supervisor and temporary manager, which paid the bills. However, as winter approached, I saw the graduate placement within NB Communication just as I was finishing my job with SGS. Perfect timing. I applied, and was lucky enough to get it, which saved me from a miserable winter of unemployment!

How have you benefited from the programme?

Employment in the web development industry adds another string to my bow. I can now carry out design work with a much more detailed understanding of the technical issues involved in the web development process. Ultimately, I have found interesting work, I can afford to pay the bills, and I'm not wasting my four years at university.

Any advice for other graduates?

I'd say be ambitious and work hard.