WCS Paisley Graduation Supplement 2018

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Wednesday November 14, 2018
27
West College Scotland Graduation 2018
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk
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Paulina is on
track for
success in art
after college
It’s been a great year for youth
Young ones win
prizes in a very
special year
NNYOUNG people can often be
unfairly stereotyped or judged,
but 2018 is the year where all
this changes.
The year 2018 is the Year for
Young People, and it gives them
a real chance to celebrate their
skills.
It is the year for young people
to showcase their talents, and
the year for young people to let
their voice be heard.
West College Scotland has
been working to commend the
efforts of its young students and
members of staff.
Nominations have been
coming in since September for
six categories, as suggested
by the Scottish Government,
and congratulations go to the
following winners:
Equality and discrimination:
Taylor Greaves (Paisley NC
Level 5 Social Sciences)
Culture: Lauren McGichen
(Paisley HND Social Sciences)
Enterprise and regeneration:
Danny Walls (Paisley MIS
Technical Administrator)
Education: Kieran Laing
(Greenock HNC Cyber Security)
Participation: Erin Murdoch
(Greenock Begin Beauty
Therapy)
Health and wellbeing:
Kirsty Steel (Clydebank HNC
Accounting)
The idea of a Year of Young
People started way back in
2014 when Scotland’s former
first minister Alex Salmond
first announced 2018 would be
intended for it.
The initiative has been
based around six themes of
culture, education, enterprise
and regeneration, health
and wellbeing, equality
and discrimination and
participation.
To find out more, visit www.
yoyp2018.scot
NNMOVING from Poland to
Scotland was a big change for
Paulina Pawlik-Barborka, but one
which has allowed her to hone her
artistic talents at West College
Scotland, and led to her achieving
her ultimate dream of being
accepted to study at art school.
Initially studying painting at The
Academy of Fine Art in Krakow,
Paulina followed her sister and
husband’s lead and made the big
move to Glasgow in 2015.
After giving birth to her
daughter, Paulina applied to study
NC Fine Art Portfolio at West
College Scotland’s Paisley campus.
Impressing the staff at the
college with her talents, Paulina
was persuaded to enrol on the
HNC course instead; a move which
challenged her, but one which has
stood her in good stead for the
future.
‘Open-minded, friendly and
helpful’ is how Paulina describes
the lecturers at West College
Scotland.
Saying they were ‘very
experienced’, Paulina believes her
lecturers have played a key part in
her success so far.
When asked if she would
recommend West College Scotland,
Paulina immediately says she
would.
She would also recommend her
course to others who are keen to
It didn’t take long for William to get a job
NNIT might be the end of William
Nixon’s course at West College
Scotland, but he hasn’t left the
building just yet.
The 32-year-old had so much
success in his computer networking
studies, he’s secured himself a job
at the college.
William’s commitment to his
work was also proven when he was
handed the course prize. Not bad
for someone who arrived at the
college saying he had no IT-related
qualifications at all.
Starting college at the age of 29
after being made redundant was
a big change for William, but one
which he relished.
West College Scotland was not
originally William’s first choice
but, after visiting the college and
speaking to members of staff, he
realised it was the right college for
him.
He said: “The quality of the
lecturers is absolutely top notch
pursue a career in art. Paulina
says that she learned a range of
new skills in what can only be
described as a diverse curriculum.
Listing graphic design, print
making, mixed media, life drawing,
etching and wood cutting as some
of the areas she covered at college,
Paulina believes her course offers
‘something for everyone’.
Add to that the top-class facilities
and impressive range of equipment,
and Paulina has no regrets about
her decision to study at West
College Scotland in Paisley.
With an interest in art dating
back to her childhood, Paulina
remembers attending the Youth
Cultural Centre in her home town
of Wlodawa in order to deepen her
knowledge and build her skills.
It is this eagerness to learn
which led to Paulina being
described as a “first-rate student”
by her lecturer.
But it isn’t only Paulina’s
lecturers who have been impressed
by her attitude and her talent, and
she has caught the attention of
many industry professionals.
Winning a prize for best
etching from Glasgow Print
Studio’s master class, as well as
being an “invaluable” part of the
organisation of a student exhibition
at WASPS Studios, is proof that
Paulina’s hard work is paying off.
In addition to this, Paulina beat
and the facilities that were
available to me were wonderful.”
Fast-forward a couple of years,
and William has no regrets about
choosing the college or his course.
So much so, that his partner has
gone on William’s recommendation
and is now studying games
development at West College
Scotland.
He added: “I expected a
professional, friendly, adult
learning environment and that’s
exactly what I got. I couldn’t have
been happier with WCS.”
William’s success can be
attributed to his lecturers, but a lot
of it is down to his work ethic and
his attitude towards his studies.
William always pushed himself and
his enthusiasm for all things IT
shone through.
William has had such a positive
experience, and WCS is thrilled he
continues to bring his expertise to
the college as a member of staff.
Paulina Pawlik-Barborka
off stiff competition from applicants
from all over the world to gain a
coveted place at art school.
After being awarded the course
prize for HNC Fine Art Portfolio
and preparing to start art school
William Nixon
this month, Paulina dreams of one
day owning her own workshop.
With excellent grades, a great
network of contacts and an
impressive portfolio behind her, the
only way is up for Paulina.