Computing

Espie Ford Affords Success

Standing tall and dainty at four foot ten inches, Espie Ford has pulled some powerful academic punches at Waiariki. With a merit pass in her pocket she is on her way to Level 6 computing this year.

Her challenge and motivation began in a small “pull out” classroom at Glenholme Primary School way back when, as Espie had her first “personal computer experience” with the now- classic videogame, Space Invaders.

“I watched the screen and had to shoot at these oncoming rocks from outer space. It was so crazy, and I wondered, ‘how do people make these things work’?”

To find answers in her field of interest Espie first wanted to learn basic computing skills then move on to computer assisted design (CAD. She enrolled in level 3 computing courses at Waiariki in 2007 and has not looked back.

“There are so many interesting things, and database management is where I want to go – from here,” she says.

Light and swift, by the end of next year she will have earned a Bachelor of Computing Systems.

Espie particularly appreciates the access to resources her learning on and off campus provides.

“I can do a bachelor’s in my hometown! And with this degree in computing it truly is a key to employment, you can take it anywhere and everywhere,” Espie says.

She found students at higher levels helpful in explaining computing concepts, tutors easy to access - “just flick them an email and they are always there to help” – and the opportunities to learn through teaching others, all great benefits of the programme.

With computing legend Linda Fraser, Espie showed a group of gifted secondary students around the possibilities, including Flash and animation skills. “They are so quick with computers, asking, ‘What can I do next?’”

As one of the few women in her class Espie appreciates the female faculty members.

 “It is cool to see some older women really know what they are up to in computing. It seems like it’s a man’s career, but we’re slowly changing that”.

In particular, Espie admires the late Bronnie Stevenson, her first computing lecturer.

“Bronnie was just awesome, she knew I could do the work and that made me want to do it. I worked hard, she was pleased, she was very inspirational to me”, she says.

Self-proclaimed as easily bored Espie finds the action in computing engaging. She says it wakes your brain up – “And it’s handy, knowing what to look for more than, say, the salesperson trying to sell you something at Noel Leeming!”

Richard Way - Graduate

After undertaking the Bachelor of Computing Systems with the School of Computing, Technology and Communications, in 2006 when he was just 17 years old. Now 20, Richard Way has established a future for himself within IT support.

As the final part in the Bachelor of Computing Systems, Richard was to complete an industry standard project and selected ITCo as his client. This involved ‘preparing a project proposal and plan as well as undertaking a realistic project for his client and documenting the process and deliverables’.

Richard graduated in November 2008, on a Monday and was employed fulltime by ITCo the very next day.  Mark Wilkinson and Kane Vanner, Richard’s employers, were clearly more than impressed with Richard’s capabilities and skills.

As a part of a team of 11 Richard is now, on a daily basis, providing businesses throughout the Bay of Plenty and further afield with dedicated IT service and support across a vast array of technologies.

Richard says “The skills I learnt with Waiariki have been applied a great deal to my new position. It was a hard decision to commit myself to three years of study, as I was only 17 years old but I am glad I did as it has brought me to where I am today. It was a great start to the workforce and gave me the skill base to get me in the door”.