ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Valeriia Sotnikova

Graduate

DMC Digital Marketing & Content Development

Studying Digital Marketing & Content Development at BCFE was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The course gave me a strong foundation in digital marketing while also allowing me to develop practical, industry-relevant skills through hands-on projects and real work experience.

Throughout the year, we covered a wide range of subjects including Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Graphic Design, Advertising, Media Analysis, Web Authoring, Work Experience, and Writing Skills for Journalism. This variety helped me discover different areas of the industry and build confidence using creative and digital tools.

One of the things I appreciated most about the course was how practical it was. We didn’t just learn theory—we created content, worked on real projects, developed campaigns, built websites, and gained valuable work experience that prepared us for employment. Thanks to the course, I built a portfolio, improved my communication and creative skills, and gained the confidence to start my career in digital marketing.

The teaching staff were incredibly supportive and always willing to help. I’m especially grateful to my class coordinator who was always approachable, encouraging, and genuinely cared about every student’s success. Her support and guidance throughout the year made a real difference to my learning experience.

Since completing the course, I have secured a role in social media marketing, and I will also be continuing my education at Dublin City University, studying Multimedia. BCFE gave me the skills, confidence, and experience I needed to take this next step, and I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in a career in digital marketing or content creation.

Sean Daan 

Graduate

MPH Photography & Content Creation

From the knowledgeable and helpful teaching staff to the great craic with fellow students, Ballyfermot College has provided me with a great college experience and a solid foundation for the following years. 
 
I’ve had a lot of fun during the work experience we’ve had – though stressful at times – the pressure has allowed me to gain new skills in technical aspects and time managing. 
 
I will now be progressing onto higher education in Carlow with thanks to Aisling – as she has secured it for us. 
 
Thank you to my collegemates for the laughs and teamwork and Aisling and staff for all the support over the years.

Shannon Irvine

Graduate

MPH Photography & Content Creation

When I first started to navigate my way through the creative media and photography industry and I was stagnant until I started this course. This course gave me the confidence to push myself and my ideas further while developing crucial technique and technical skills used in the industry outside the classroom. The support and encouragement I received from each lecturer was beyond my expectations, they really went out of their way to help. The support made a huge difference and it was what drove me to proceed my education further.  

 Some of the best experiences came from this course from working in a fast paced environment with real-world experience to gaining friends for a lifetime. This course gave me the skills to be able to go into the real world of work on my own with confidence. This course really helped me personally and professionally in gaining so many skills and helping me better understand the media industry.  

I would love to mention the fact that as a woman suffering from mental health issues, the support within the course was extremely helpful and excellent.

Leona Rogers

Graduate

SPN Nursing Studies Level 5

My Experience in BCFE

The first couple of days I was so nervous returning to college to do a course as a mature student in my 40s, as I did not know anyone, but I soon made friends within our class-group.

I had no experience of using a laptop for completing assignments, but I soon learned with the help of the fantastic teachers. They showed me how set up folders and how to download notes and submit my assignments online. I had the best time ever and I was so emotional leaving. If I can give new mature students some advice, if you are worried about how tough it might be or how it might be in a class with younger students please don’t stress. The help I got from my teachers and classmates was brilliant, so a mixed group worked out very well.

The teachers in BCFE are the best I have ever had, so very helpful. They encourage you to work to your potential, and support each student throughout the time they’re here.

Please do not give up on your dreams.

Yvonne Byrne

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

My own personal journey does not end with this course. This course and the Mental Health Awareness module has begun my path towards my end goal; with such information, advice and guidance I am forever grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Even with such a difficult time of Covid19, I was able to receive a positive education in the comfort of my own home. I am disappointed I could not engage with the public during weeks of placement; however, I know the extra information disseminated during that time will stand to me in my career as it progresses. I am grateful for the insight and knowledge I now possess from this course and will not only implement it in a professional manner but also personally. Life comes with hardships and while it has no instructions; I strongly believe we all deserve the necessary tools and guidance to deal with any and all challenges we face. Thank you BCFE.

Gloria Odigie

Family Carer

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

Hello all, I am Gloria Odigie, a family carer, I just finished studying Advance Social Care, Level 6, SVC, Ballyfermot College of Further Education. I returned to college having put my Nursing on hold to care for my loved ones. This course is an asset to me in that it has transformed my entire life about social model of caring for a client on a person-centred approach having believed in biomedical model approach for patients’ treatment and recovery for several years. I have come to understand that social care entails a multi-disciplinary team of holistic plan for a child, young people, and individual. My learning experience about the issues of mental health illnesses and various treatment approaches, care of people with disabilities and how to support them to self-care, independence, and recovery with the enablement to conquer the societal stigma, labelling, discrimination is of great benefit to me. Talking about rehabilitation of people with disability, the trainings, programs, education, along with awareness campaign does really support and promote social inclusion. The importance of self-care and setting a realistic goal for a better future cannot be over-emphasised because skills development helped me in all my academic works. I look forward to supporting children, young people, adults and their families with practical assistance and emotional support of a holistic approach that uses their strengths, talent, and gifts rather than their disabilities. I appreciate all my classmates, tutors, and the entire staff of this college for their inclusiveness. I will recommend Ballyfermot College for anyone wishing to further educate themselves. Thank all.

Dean Marshall

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I am currently studying my Level 6 Advanced Cert in Social Studies in Ballyfermot College, approaching the end of the college year brings time for reflection both personal and professional and in that reflection, I have looked at how accommodating this college has been to my needs as to the needs of my classmates. Studying during the time of covid isn’t an easy task although the team at BCFE have evolved completely to the situation and have made necessary arrangements to suit students such as extension deadlines on assignments, shorter classes to reflect the needs of parents within the class and have provided elements of wellbeing, positive mental health and a high quality of care to all students during times of stress, unease and uncertainty and I could not recommend this college enough to others.

Roisin Meenan

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I completed the Social and Vocational Integration QQI Level 6 course in 2020. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in BCFE and believe that it is a fantastic college. The support and encouragement myself and my fellow classmates received from the course coordinator and lecturers throughout the year was outstanding! This course pointed me in the right direction in terms of what I wanted to do with my future. It gave me a taste of so many different aspects of social care; and although the workload could be tough sometimes, the lecturers were always there for high quality support and guidance. I highly recommend this course as between the course content, the exceptional lecturers and the welcoming and social environment within the college, it was a wonderful experience and I have grown both as an individual and as a professional because of it.

I am currently doing a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Care in Technological University Dublin, Tallaght Campus.

Michelle McAuley

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

My name is Michelle McAuley and I am a graduate of the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Social Care. I think this year has been the hardest year for anyone to go back to college specifically those who’ve had a long break from education. It’s a dense course packed with information and a lot of assignments but the staff here at BCFE are so good to us. From extending deadlines, responding to emails and helping us on every single part we needed. This course covers a wide variety of topics needed to help integrate those who wish to further educate themselves or those who wish to get a job within the sector.