A CARRYDUFF couple are enjoying a double celebration after they both graduated from Queen’s University this month.
Husband and wife Simon and Laura Lee originally met at Queen’s while undergraduates before marrying in 2009. Now parents to two-year-old son Benjamin, the pair received new qualifications during this month’s winter graduations.
Simon, who already has a degree in divinity, a Masters in theology and a PGCE teaching qualification, received a certificate in person centred counselling. Laura too received the same certificate, to go along with her previous degree in nursing.
Speaking of the challenge of achieving the new qualifications while raising their son, Laura said: “Having both of us studying as well as looking after a new baby was hard work but celebrating our graduation today makes it worthwhile. It’s a big day of celebration for our family, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll be at Queen’s again watching Ben graduate.”
Husband Simon added: “Returning to study counselling was a new but rewarding challenge. We were both interested in counselling, and Laura always wanted to be in a caring profession, so the courses at Queen’s suited us.
“We now intend to seek accreditation in order to pursue jobs as counsellors.”
