From Passion to Profession in IT
Meet Our Graduate – Turning Early Interest into a Thriving Tech Career
I always knew the world was heading toward technology – I wanted to be ready for it.
From a young age, Ronan had a keen interest in computers. That early spark began in secondary school St Eugene's in Rosslea, where he achieved a double award in GCSE IT. His passion for technology and forward-thinking attitude led him to South West College – a decision that would launch his career in IT.
The Journey Begins at South West College
An open day at South West College helped solidify his direction. After exploring various options, he enrolled in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Information Technology equivalent to three A-levels.
The lecturers were brilliant – supportive every step of the way. We covered everything from programming and databases to project management and even marketing.
His studies spanned technical and creative skills, with hands-on modules in networking, systems analysis, SQL, Microsoft Access, website development, and more.
Building the Future – One Qualification at a Time
Choosing to stay on, he progressed into the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Computing in our Enniskillen Campus. This gave him the chance to gain university-level qualifications while remaining close to home.
"The foundation degree was a great stepping stone. The support from lecturers was second to none – you could ask anything and always get help."
While studying, he also gained industry-relevant certifications as part-time study with the college, including:
- AutoCAD Level 2
- Cisco Technician Training
- ITIL and further professional development opportunities