Five years of concentrated effort pays off today for engineering student Heather Christie, who graduates at the Waterfront Hall with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Ballymoney woman Heather studied at the University’s Jordanstown campus.

Her five-year degree programme included a 14-month placement with leading medical devices firm Medtronic. The company makes class-leading implantable devices such as heart valves and stents.

Heather’s placement was at the company’s Galway facility and she says the placement was crucial in helping her start her career in engineering with a job at top aviation component firm BE Aerospace in Kilkeel.

“It was brilliant,” she said. “The skills and experience I gained during my placement have enabled me to get a great position with BE Aerospace.

“They’re one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft seating, and I start my new job in July.”

But for now, she is celebrating her academic achievement before beginning what is certain to be a high-flying career.