Posted: Tuesday 29 June 2010

Inspiring Student on Course for Success

A young woman with Asperger's syndrome and epilepsy has proved that hard work really does pay off, scooping a college award and completing a series of work placements in addition to her part-time studies and employment. Lyndsey Williamson (26) from Galston received the Ambassadors' Taskforce Making a Difference Award from the College for her dedication to her studies, consistent hard work and by putting herself forward for work placements based in the College. Over the past year, Lyndsey has been studying NQ Administration and IT on a part-time basis at the College's Holehouse Road campus and will continue studying this after the summer holidays, completing her course in June 2011. During her time at college, Lyndsey was determined to gain work experience and asked her lecturers if she could help out with general administration tasks around the College.

Lyndsey said: "I love studying at Kilmarnock College and the support I receive from my lecturers is fantastic. As well as studying at college and helping out in various departments, I am also fortunate to have secured a part-time position as an assistant cook in a local restaurant. I really enjoy this position but I am a firm believer in self development and I am continually looking for alternative ways in which I can enhance my career opportunities. With the support I have received from my lecturers at Kilmarnock College, who have been able to see beyond my disabilities, I have been able to learn new skills and gain qualifications in administration. I really enjoy the subjects I have studied and hope, in the future, to follow a career in administration in a large organisation like the College.

"Over the past year, I have assisted a number of departments across the College in various administration tasks. This has been great and has helped me gain invaluable experience, skills and knowledge. I am looking forward to returning to college after the summer holidays, to further my studies and continue helping out whenever I can, which will again allow me to progress my skills and experience."

Julie Maxwell, Curriculum Manager for Computing, Administration and IT at Kilmarnock College, said: "Lyndsey is a fantastic student and is fully dedicated to her studies at college. Over the last year she has gone from strength to strength and the Ambassadors' Taskforce Award recognises these achievements.

"We were also pleased to help Lyndsey secure work experience at the College and she received excellent feedback from our staff. Kilmarnock College is committed to bringing out the best in our students, helping them find work placements and allowing them to progress in their chosen careers."

Kilmarnock College has a dedicated Learning Development Centre with a team of friendly and encouraging staff on hand to offer support and guidance to current students and future learners. For further information on Administration and IT courses, or any other courses available at Kilmarnock College, please contact 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.

Pictured: Lyndsey Williamson (left) with Margo MacMillan, Employability Officer, Kilmarnock College (right).

-END-

For more information, contact:
Denise Clark, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) denise@halogencom.com.

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