Callum Challinor has had a single minded ambition to work in computing since leaving school, and it has led him to studying a Forth Valley College and Stirling University Partnership degree course – the BSc Hons Software Development and Cyber Security.
Callum (18) from Slamannan, near Falkirk has always had a passion for computing, and realised quickly that he did not want to stay at school to do a broad range of subjects. So he applied for the FVC Access to Computing course and then progressed onto the NC Computing too.
He said: “Forth Valley is the local College to me and it offered the courses I wanted to do. I love the lecturers and the facilities are great and the support you get in your learning is very good too. You can even get free breakfasts, lunches and food to go at the end of the day, to help students in these difficult financial times.
“The partnership has been just what I was looking for and it will help prepare me for university and help me progress on to a good job hopefully in software development. I am excited at the prospect of a good career and – potentially – a good salary too.”
Callum – who is currently in the first year of his degree - now hopes to go on to complete his HND at FVC, before moving on to complete his Hons degree at the University of Stirling.
He added: “I would recommend the course and the College to anyone. The social aspect of college life has been great for me too and the support you receive is excellent and the lecturers are all good fun, which helps.
“But the best bit for me is the learning. I’m in my element as I love learning about computing!”