Student Profiles and Success Stories
Danielle Ray
BTEC National Diploma in Sports Studies
A former student of Crestwood College
Danielle was a student at Eastleigh College from 2000-2002, successfully gaining BTEC National Diploma in Sports Studies. She chose the course because she wanted to work in the sports industry, but initially did not have a particular area of the industry in mind. Danielle chose the BTEC National Diploma course in preference to A levels as it offered the opportunity to be educated in a number of sports related topics.
At Eastleigh College Danielle particularly enjoyed studying human anatomy, sports injuries and prevention, and sports massage as part of the BTEC course, and she decided she would like to pursue a career in these areas. Her next step was to gain a BSc Honours degree in Sports Therapy at University.
Today Danielle is a Sports Therapist at Eastleigh Football Club, treating and rehabilitating players' injuries. She is also setting up her own private Sports Injuries Clinic based at the football club, offering treatments to members of the public.
Richard J Brown
BTEC National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
A former student of St Georges Catholic School for Boys, Swaythling
Richard studied the BTEC National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment at Eastleigh College. He was a full time student in the first year, and gained a job with Gifford and Partners as a Cad Technician in the second year, while studying on a day release basis.
He then landed a job with Parsons Brinckerhoff in Essex working on projects such as M25 widening, A11 Thetford improvements, and Transport for London high priority bus routes improvements. Richard is also studying part time for an HND in Civil Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University, which builds on what he studied at Eastleigh. He hopes to get some overseas experience over the next two years and to gain experience in Aviation (airport design).
"The main benefit of the course at Eastleigh was that it touched on most major aspects of building design, structures, surveying and road construction, leaving it up to me to decide on which area to specialise in when it comes to degree level" said Richard. "The college lecturers were a great help, and all had practical experience in the construction industry, which I found very useful".
Vikki-Jo Keens
BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts
A former student of The Quilley School of Engineering
Vikki-Jo joined Eastleigh College in September 2003 to study BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts. According to Vikki-Jo she had always wanted to do this course especially since it is performance and vocation based, thus giving her experience of being both in the limelight and behind the scenes. She was one of the department's highest achieving students and starred in two college shows, 'Grotley 3' and 'Gutted'. She was considered by her tutors to be a master in the three main disciplines of acting, dance and singing. On completion of her course here at Eastleigh College, Vikki-Jo went on to take a one year intensive training course at The London School of Musical Theatre. In 2006 she landed a lead role in the West End musical 'RSVP ASAP', a brand new Musical Comedy.
Tom Smith
Motor Vehicle Servicing and Repair NVQ Levels 1 & 2
A former student of Swanmore School
Tom first started at Eastleigh College on a one day a week programme in 2002 whilst still at school. He subsequently went on to study Motor Vehicle at the College, where he gained more experience and enjoyed meeting new mates with similar interests. Tom particularly enjoyed a trip to the Mini factory and going on work experience at the Hampshire Police Motor Vehicle Workshops in Fareham where he worked on Special Branch cars!
The work experience resulted in Tom being offered a position in the Police repair workshop, from where he is hoping to continue his studies at NVQ Level 3 at Eastleigh College on day release under their prestigious apprenticeship scheme.
Tom has acted as ambassador for the college as a peer mentor and was this year awarded a College Prize for his achievements! Well done Tom...
He says "I would say to anyone thinking about coming to Eastleigh College that this is a sound course and if you put the effort in you get a lot out".
