21-year-old SERC graduate gets job offer from P2V Systems

HARD work and dedication has paid off for South Eastern Regional College (SERC) computing student Bronagh Keenan who has secured employment with IT solutions provider P2V Systems, following a successful 16-week internship.

Bronagh decided to enrol at SERC after attending an open day and, after talking to the tutors, enrolled onto the foundation degree computing course at the Colleges SPACE campus in Bangor.

Bronagh gained a unique insight into the IT sector thanks to her placement opportunity, part of her foundation degree course studied at the College. Following a rigorous selection by P2V Systems, Bronagh received the opportunity to experience first-hand the role and responsibilities of a service desk team member and get a better idea of how the industry operates, a challenge she thoroughly enjoyed.

Speaking about the course, Bronagh explained that it has helped her gain invaluable knowledge and skills. Thanks to the placement, Bronagh gained a range of employability skills which helped her secure the full-time post at P2V Systems.

Course tutor Michael Simcock explains: “The foundation degree combines academic study with on-the-job experience. This means students graduate with a specialised set of skills that meet the specific needs of employers. At SERC we are committed to providing students with valuable work placements and development opportunities which allow them to improve their employability skills, add to their knowledge and explore their potential. I am delighted that Bronagh has got this amazing start to her career. It is just the beginning of a great career for her.”

Speaking about her experience Bronagh said: “I would definitely recommend SERC to others who wanted to reach their full potential. The course allowed me to gain the employability skills that are valued by employers thanks to the range of extracurricular activities built into the study.”

The 21-year-old said that she would ‘strongly encourage others to consider SERC as a first option as the skills she gained at College helped her secure her dream job.’

She said: “I was delighted when I was offered full-time employment with P2V Systems and am looking forward to progressing my career here.”

Bronagh is a former pupil of St Patricks High School in Lisburn. She said she decided against university due to the expensive tuition fees.

P2V Systems Service Manager Ann Marie O’Neill said “Bronagh fitted in well to the team and had a positive, can do attitude which we liked. As a thriving business, P2V Systems is always looking to the future and new ways to improve our services and attract talent.

“This is the first time we have recruited a student from SERC and it has offered us an additional pool of talent from which to recruit an ambitious and talented staff member who can contribute to the future growth of the company. If this is the calibre of SERC students, then I would recommend them to anyone and we look forward to welcoming more students to the business in the future.”

SERC is still enrolling for full and part-time courses starting in September. For more information please call 0345 600 7555.