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Tuesday 28 June 2011

Carolanne’s Accessing All Areas

A Camelon mother of four and former Access student at Forth Valley College, is gearing up for a five week placement at a US university.

Carolanne McIntyre (40) - who progressed on to a Social Work degree at Strathclyde University’s Jordanhill Campus -  had always harboured ambitions of one day becoming a social worker once her family was a bit older.

Shortly after her youngest reached the age of 10, she heard about FVC’s NQ Access to Further Education course through a friend and was accepted on to the year long course in 2009.

Carolanne -  who also volunteers with the Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre Falkirk & Clackmannan Carers Befriending Project - had thrived in an atmosphere at FVC that was ideal for her.

She built up her confidence and found out exactly what she was capable of. She worked hard and graduated with flying colours and managed to claim one of only 60 places on offer - from 2,500 applicants – on the BA Hons Social Work degree at Strathclyde University’s Jordanhill Campus.

Now she has been selected to go - with seven other students – to North Carolina University in Greensboro from the end of June to the end of July, to study there on a ‘compare and contrast ‘ placement scheme, which has been up and running for more than 20 years.

Carolanne said:

“After school I was a chef and worked in a factory and always thought I would go to college one day, but then my family came along and priorities change. But this Access course was absolutely fantastic for me. It allowed me to build up my confidence and social skills and even attempt maths which is something I was told not to take in school. I was even joint winner of the maths prize when I finished and that just shows you that you should never give up.

“The FVC lecturers were superb and they were on our level as most of the people on the course are mature students. I had to study and work hard, but the beauty of it is the lecturers show you how to get the most out of your studying and research. It has been really worthwhile and has changed my life.

“I never saw myself going to university, but the last year has been great and I am really looking forward to going to the US to study. My family are all really proud of me and joking that they’ll not miss me when I’m away, but I’m sure I’ll be getting e-mails and phone calls looking for help not long after I leave!

“I would recommend anyone who wants to get back into education to come down and find out what is on offer at Forth Valley College. There is no stigma in asking for help and lecturing staff are great I would definitely recommend it.”

McLean McIntosh acting Curriculum Quality Leader (CQL) in the Access and Progression Department, who specialises in Maths, said: “I remember Carolanne very well and the fact she was terrified of Maths. But she managed to get through it and has obviously done very well for herself, though this is not a surprise to me as she was a very committed and capable student. I am glad to see she is doing so well.”

Tags: Access and progression, Falkirk

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