A Lanarkshire recruitment firm has gifted laptops to two science students from New College Lanarkshire (NCL) set to continue their studies at university.
STEM Recruitment Solutions, based in Bellshill, has donated the new ICT equipment to graduating students Lorna Cheung and Dylan Granger to support their STEM journeys.
Lorna recently completed HNC bioscience, while Dylan studied SWAP access to health sciences.
Both students accepted their laptops at the college’s Coatbridge campus ahead of starting degree programmes in the new academic year.
They spoke about their career goals and qualification pathways with Darren Orr, director of STEM Recruitment Solutions who is an ex-research chemist with the US Department of Energy.
Lorna has gained a sought-after place to study BSc ecological and environmental sciences at the University of Edinburgh, and has also secured a job as a sample handler at the Lighthouse Lab in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after attending an online talk from Marie Clare Pearse, head of workforce planning at the University of Glasgow, which was organised by NCL’s science team.
Lorna, who lives in Coatbridge, told Lanarkshire Live : “I’m really amazed that I’ve been nominated by my lecturers to receive this laptop. I’m so chuffed and it feels like good things really are coming in threes.
"I’m excited to be going to Edinburgh Uni, but nervous at the same time. And I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work in the Lighthouse Lab at such an important time with COVID.
"I first studied NQ animal biology and conservation at NCL back in 2017. I was pregnant when I graduated and the plan had been to come back a year later, but mum life took over.
"It feels sad to be leaving after my HNC in bioscience, and leaving everything that I know, but I know that there is so much out there."
Dylan, meanwhile, is progressing to study a four-year degree in sports science at the University of Glasgow, after which he intends to complete a Masters in physiotherapy.
Dylan, who lives in Glasgow, said: “This is an amazing opportunity - the email to say that I was being given a laptop came out of the blue and took a huge load off my uni ‘to-do’ list.
"The SWAP access to health sciences course was a good year - it got me back into the swing of things in terms of going back to studying and learning. It gave me the confidence to go on to university.
"I had been working in recruitment for two years previously, but when the pandemic hit, things went a bit sideways. It allowed me to revisit where I wanted to go and the SWAP course was perfect for easing me back into study.
"I’m interested in physiotherapy because it gives you the ability to interact with people and actually be doing something where I can help people back to a normal state of life."
Based in Strathclyde Business Park, STEM Recruitment Solutions specialises in jobs in the Scottish pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
The firm's Darren Orr said: "I’m a scientist who went into recruitment and I just like to give back. I feel like I was a bit misinformed when I was getting career advice, so I think it’s important to empower people and help them to make the right career choices.
"Lorna and Dylan are so enthusiastic and you can tell that they want to do really well. I wish them all the very best in their careers."
Derek Steven, curriculum and quality leader for science at NCL, added: "I watched Darren’s vlog on LinkedIn looking for science students who stood out and would benefit from the gift of a laptop to continue their studies at university, and asked our team to recommend students.
"Lorna and Dylan were exceptional, highly motivated students who are both very worthy of this donation from STEM Recruitment Solutions.
"The laptops will mean a great deal as we’ve seen how important the use of technology has become over the last 18 months, which will be fantastic for their studies at university."
To find out more about NCL’s range of courses in science, go online
