Fiona Dick

Fiona Dick
Fiona Dick

Fiona Dick (21) was a pupil at Dunblane High School when joining the School-College Opportunities to Succeed (SCOTS) programme and progressing to a National Progression Award (NPA), eventually led to a full-time college course.

Fiona, said: “I chose to do this because I was not sure what I wanted to study when I left school and so this route was a good way to get a taster of what the college offered and which course I enjoyed most. It was also a good way to help me to get into a full-time Sound Production course.

“I think the facilities are great as you’re using new top of the range equipment, which gives you a good understanding of what you will be using when you graduate and get a job in the field. The lecturers were also really good as they were always willing to help with any problems that came up.

“My experience of a school partnership course helped me as it helped me realise what I wanted to study when I left school. It also helped me get accepted into a full-time course, because the College knew me through the school partnership courses and I had worked with most of the lecturers already.

“Attending the College has helped me move into a career by helping me to get the qualifications and experience that is needed for a full time job in sound production. Before lockdown I was working with Rollerbeats as a roller disco DJ. But I am currently not working due to the company I was working with being temporarily closed. When restrictions are eased I will be heading off to Miami for a job as a sound engineer on board a cruise ship for seven months.

“I would recommend the school partnership courses to anyone interested as they are a great way to find out what you want to study and if College is the right step for you in the future. It is also great for helping you get a placement in a full-time course when you do leave, as the College will have it on record that took part in a school link programme.

“For me the best bit was meeting new people and getting to learn about a subject I am passionate about, through both practical experience, whether that was going out and doing the job with a company, or working with clients in the recording studio. The written aspect of the course was also good as that is where we learned more about the equipment used for events.

“My advice to future students would be to tell them to go for it and give it everything, because it could be the thing that helps them to get a job in the future, if they maybe don’t have as many qualifications as they might like.”