An unexpected turn of events which could have spelt disaster for David Johnstone instead opened up a whole new world of opportunity, thanks to his decision to study at the University of Dundee.
Former manufacturing engineer David, 51, faced redundancy twice during the 1990s, prompting him to change direction and complete an MSc in Applied Computing. The skills he gained from the course have led him into a job on a major University project to transfer the key Scots language dictionaries onto the Internet.
David was forced to rethink his career plans after being made redundant in 1990, then again in 1998.
But help was at hand from David's former colleague and neighbour Bill Clark, who had himself completed and MSc. He encouraged David to give it a go and, after successfully gaining a place on the course as a mature student, he hasn't looked back.
During his studies, David's course tutor recommended him as an "keyer" for the Scots Language Dictionary Project - which involves entering and checking the 100,000-plus Scots words from the dictionaries onto computer to create a new virtual dictionary on the web.
It seems like a million miles away from his career in Engineering, but as David looks forward to graduating in the Caird Hall on July 12, he, his wife Debbie and their daughter Mhairi, 7, he couldn't be happier.
"I never thought I would do what I have done, mainly because I felt like I would be too old to fit in at University. But by taking the bull by the horns and going for it, I found that my age hasn't made a scrap of difference and I have loved every minute.
"To go back to education and get a Masters degree 27 years after completing my original degree has amazed and delighted me and given me confidence to know that I am capable of facing up to the challenges life throws at me.
"To anyone in doubt of their own ability to complete a course as a mature student, I would say, 'Go for it - you may just surprise yourself!"