A Queen Margaret University (QMU) student who became one of the first international tourism ambassadors at Edinburgh International Airport in 2015, has now landed a leading graduate position with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Rebecca Neish, 21, has been appointed as Training and Events Executive with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce after graduating with a first class BA (Hons) Events Management from QMU in July.

Rebecca’s new role with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce will include working as part of the operations team, where she is responsible for developing their existing portfolio of training and events and conducting quality standard checks to confirm members are being provided with the best opportunities to grow and develop their businesses. It is not only the members satisfaction that she manages, part of her responsibility is to liaise with the suppliers and support their needs and desires to collaboratively support the members development needs.

Whilst a student at QMU, Rebecca was one of only three university students to be appointed as part of the first Student Tourism Ambassador Role Scotland (STARS) team at Edinburgh International Airport, which is a partnership project between the University and the Airport. Rebecca talents were recognised during her time with the STARS project when she was promoted to the coordinator’s role. It was this position that she excelled as a people manager, gaining the skills set and experience which has helped secure her current job with the Chamber.

QMU’s STARS programme was designed to support the tourism sector in Edinburgh and has enabled a total of 50 students to find paid employment and develop employability and leadership skills. The programme has been endorsed by VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation, and has now been expanded to include Virgin Trains East Coast and Edinburgh St James. The initiative was also recognised in 2016 with an award from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce in the category of innovation.

Commenting on her new role with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, experience as one of the first STARS, and QMU journey, Rebecca said: “The opportunity I was given through QMU’s STARS programme has directly supported me in my current role. I strongly believe I wouldn’t be in the role I’m in today without QMU investing in me, believing in my ability, supporting my growth and giving me the opportunity to learn practically.

“The experience I gained as a result of being the coordinator of the STARS programme, liaising with clients, performing evaluations and acting upon their outcomes has definitely given me the confidence to pursue my current role at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. The opportunity QMU gave me gave me the skills and experience to help start my career and owe the programme and QMU a lot.”

A short film of Rebecca talking about her experience as a QMU student is now available to watch on the University’s YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/CX89tX

An Events Management student from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, has graduated with flying colours after winning a new university scholarship to address lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in the events and tourism sector.

Gavin Baxter, 27, was awarded the scholarship by QMU, which is geared towards LGBT studies in the tourism and events industry.

With its specialisms in tourism and events, QMU has teamed-up with US-based TravelAdvocates to offer the scholarship to up to two students a year over the next three years.

The TravelAdvocates LGBT Studies Travel and Research Scholarship helps QMU students carry out their own independent research into the current LGBT issues affecting the tourism and events sector. Gavin used his Scholarship to help fund his final dissertation project, which focused on what motivated people to attend this year’s Edinburgh Pride Festival, including post-Brexit political factors.

Whilst a student at QMU, Gavin also got the opportunity to work and travel in the USA and Canada via the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation, including working as a Conference Coordinator at The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Conference in Washington D.C.

Gavin graduated with a BA (Hons) Events Management at QMU’s recent graduation ceremony in Edinburgh and is now working as a Conference Host for Crowne Plaza Hotels in Edinburgh City Centre and hopes to develop his career in the events industry by continuing to travel internationally and work on large scale major events in the future.

Commenting on his scholarship success and QMU experience, Gavin said: “This scholarship has been a fantastic addition to the awards that are given by QMU and their sponsors. It doesn’t just give you the chance to enhance your studies for your coursework, but it gives you the opportunity to meet inspirational and fantastic people that can help you within your career.

“I recently spoke to the sponsor from TravelAdvocates to express my sincere thanks and I really encourage future students and recipients of this award to make good use of it as it can do wonderful things for your education and career.

“QMU has changed my life. From being the shy individual and being scared to express my passion for the events industry, the lecturers, Students’ Union and fellow students have helped me come out of my shell and celebrate the amazing opportunities that have come my way in the past two years.”

The TravelAdvocates LGBT Studies Travel and Research Scholarship is the first LGBT scholarship funded at QMU. As a University of ideas and influence, QMU is continuing to seek further opportunities to fund scholarships that support both LGBT and other minority groups who wish to pursue these studies in the future.