Louise Campbell feels she now has a new future ahead of her on her BSc Hons Software Development and Cyber Security course, after thinking she might have missed her chance of a university degree and professional opportunities
Mother of two Louise (44) from Grangemouth had previously worked in an optician’s firm for more than 20 years, but starting an Access to Computing course at Forth Valley College has helped to put her on a path to a partnership degree from FVC and the University of Stirling, and the prospect of an exciting career.
Louise, said: “I had a child when I was young and was a single mum for a long time, but I had always wanted to go to university and I loved learning. However, I was not in a position to do that at that time and worked in an optician’s firm for 22 years.
“I am married now and recently turned 40 and I took the plunge to apply for the Access course at Forth Valley College. That then led to the NC Computing and from there I applied for the BSc partnership degree course and was accepted.
“The lecturers and the facilities here at the Falkirk Campus are really good and you get to know them really well. I am constantly asking them questions and chatting to them and they really help me.
“The College has helped me progress through different stages with the various qualifications and that has been really good for my transition and development as a computing student. When I started at the Falkirk Campus my youngest daughter was nine-years old, and it would have been a nightmare for me for me to do this course anywhere else – even at the Stirling Campus would have been difficult for me - so having the course at the Falkirk Campus has certainly benefited me.”
Louise – who is currently in the first year of her degree - now hopes to go on to complete her HND at FVC, before moving on to complete her Hons degree at the University of Stirling.
She added: “I would definitely recommend the course and the College as it prepares you for going to university and for the workplace and I am looking forward to working in the area of software development and doing something really creative.
“The best bit for me is studying in a new building and learning from lecturers who are experts in their field who are all preparing you well for your future career.”