Alfie’s BMet journey to IT success
Alfie has always had a keen interest in and growing passion for information technology (IT).
Coming to BMet was an important step to pursuing a career in his chosen area, as Alfie is increasingly gaining beneficial knowledge and skills.
We asked Alfie a few questions to find out about his journey so far at Sutton Coldfield College and about his career aspirations…
So, start by telling us about your love of IT…
“Before coming to BMet, I had an avid interest in computers and technology. I am fascinated by the rapidly evolving field of this technology and how its intertwined itself with everyone’s daily life.
“I find myself constantly interested in the new and upcoming technologies, wanting to know how they work and how they might shape the world around us.”
Why did you choose to study at BMet?
“I chose to study a Level 3 Computer Science course at BMet, because I heard about the college’s upstanding reputation, and I was offered a course that I wanted to pursue.”
Tell us about your progression journey since coming to BMet…
“After being awarded with the OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation and Extended Diploma in IT on completion of my level 3 course, I went on to study for a Level 4 HNC Cloud Computing course and I am currently studying my Level 5 HND Cloud Computing degree.”
How have you found your time at BMet and does it cater to your needs?
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at BMet, gaining invaluable experience in the process. The college provides a productive learning environment, making sure courses cater to student needs and that the course content directly relates to jobs out in the field.
“The courses I’ve studied have covered a large range of topics in the field of computer science, which has made me able to realise what I am most interested in. Plus, BMet has been committed to improving the facilities and resources which has enhanced my learning experience, allowing me to excel in my studies.”
What have you particularly enjoyed during your time at BMet and what are your best experiences?
“I’ve particularly enjoyed the hands-on, practical aspects of my course. One of my best experiences has been working on an assignment where I had to program a snake game, with the use of data structures and objects to create my game.
“I deepened my knowledge around the subject and applied the theoretical knowledge into the creation of the game, allowing me to see the tangible impact of my learning. Watching my passion and learning bear fruit to the re-creation of a classic game, has made my time at BMet enjoyable, and also enriching.”
What would you say has been your favourite achievements/memories to date?
“I take great pride in all my work – including my course work and practical work. One achievement that I am proud of is an assignment I achieved distinction in. In this assignment, I designed and developed an e-commerce website for a company – creating a database to store, manage and retrieve information. I’m proud of this work because of the effort and commitment that I put towards it and the satisfaction I got at the end of creating it.
“Without the teachers that I have, I doubt I would have the drive to put in the effort towards my work. They constantly inspire students to do their best and are very knowledgeable about the topics they teach and break things down in a way that is easy to understand.”
What do you think of the support that you’ve received at BMet?
“The support at BMet has been exceptional – the staff members are approachable and are always willing to listen and assist whenever needed.
“In terms of academic support, my teachers have been great, consistently providing clarity on complex topics and making themselves available for additional guidance and support. In addition, they provide constructive feedback, helping me to identify areas of improvement, whilst encouraging myself and other students to achieve higher goals.”
What advice would you give to other students wanting to attend BMet? Or that are currently here?
“If you have a passion for something, you should pursue it and BMet is an excellence place to do so. From my own experience, my interest in computers and technology has only grown which is thanks to the enthusiastic, passionate teachers here at BMet. The teachers here go above and beyond to inspire and uplift their students, giving them countless opportunities to advance their career and skills.
“BMet is also well-connected to professionals in the field, which opens doors to valuable opportunities. The journey at BMet isn’t just an educational journey to help you learn – it’s a journey to help you build a flourishing career.”
What are your hopes for the future?
“After finishing my degree, I plan to enter the workforce to gain more practical experience in the field, whilst also improving on my knowledge and skills.
“My long-term goal is to keep moving forward in the IT industry, and continuously improve my skills, as I find the journey to become better at the job enjoyable. I hope to be well-respected in the position I choose, because of the expertise achieved.”
Location for study: Sutton Coldfield College
Course starting point: Level 3 Computer Science
Progression: Level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND Cloud Computing