After completing his BTEC National Diploma in Sports Development and Fitness at East Riding College, Alex Fletcher travelled the world. He began with a two-month stint at a summer camp in the USA, where he helped children with special needs and worked as a rock climbing and swimming instructor. He then worked in New York and travelled the east coast of America for six months, did a ski season in France, travelled throughout south east Asia, and did e a surfing road trip around Europe.
Since working at the camp in America he has become an interviewer for the internationally renowned company Camp America, which involves opportunities of further travel to boost the UK's relationship with its offices in Sidney and Hong Kong, for example.
Alex is now studying for a BSc (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham.
He said: "Without the diploma I did at East Riding College and the skills I picked up on it, I wouldn't have passed my interview for the university course.
"Unlike a academic course, like an A-level, I feel my course allowed me to build on my personality, develop myself as a person and pick up essential life skills, such as networking, which act as a foundation in later life."
Former business student Tanya Dale so impressed the University of Hull that she was awarded the Ferens scholarship for academic excellence for the first two years of her degree.
Tanya came to East Riding College on a Business studies course and is now studying for a Business and Marketing joint degree at the University of Hull Business School.
Tanya said: "I loved my time at East Riding College and made so many good friends. Coming to the College gave me the UCAS points I needed to go my first choice university and helped me take another step towards my ambition of working in the extremely creative and exciting world of advertising.
"The tutors were amazing and so understanding, and I'm sure I would not have achieved what I have without their help and support."
Tom Turner was a student on the BTEC National Certificate for IT Practitioners (Software Development), working hard to get high marks and being named IT student of the year at the College's annual awards.
Keen to progress to higher education but anxious to avoid large debts, Tom was told by his tutor about an Apprenticeship at BAe Systems which would allow him to continue his studies on the College's Foundation Degree in Computing and which he was successful in applying for.
Tom said: "Over the time I have been on the degree I have had the chance to do many things that without going into higher education I would not have had the chance to do.
"While doing my current course, I was invited to become on of the two college student governors. I've really enjoyed being a governor and have taken the opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of the college systems."
He added: "Once I finish my foundation degree I hope to go and top up the degree to a full degree at the University of Hull and then possibly do a PhD. Primarily I hope to get a job with BAe Systems in the software engineering department.
"Before I started at the College, I would never have believed that I would be on a university course aspiring to be a software engineer at one of the country's top companies."
Lauren Hines began studying for an NVQ level two in Hospitality and Catering at our Bridlington campus and progressed onto the two-year NVQ level three in Hospitality and Catering.
Lauren was selected to represent the College at the grand opening week at The Spa Bridlington following its £19.5m refurbishment because of her personal growth during the course and overall contribution to the course.
This allowed her to demonstrate her skills to chefs at The Spa who were impressed by her abilities. The highlight of the experience for Lauren was to be presented with a certificate for her efforts by superstar chef Gordon Ramsay who attended an event during the grand opening week.
Brogan Howarth was offered a dream job working on cruise liners after completing her two-year NVQ level three in Beauty Therapy at the College's Bridlington site.
The position involved working for Steiner, a company which provides staff for more than 116 luxury cruise liners all over the world.
Brogan was provisionally told she would be sailing from Miami on Caribbean cruises.
Lindy-Lou Wilkinson came to East Riding College straight from school where she didn't do as well as she had hoped. She started with the level two First Diploma in Travel and Tourism and has now completed the level three course.
Lindy went on a College visit to university which encouraged her to consider higher education and she has now been offered a conditional place at Northumbria University to study the BA (Hons) Travel and Tourism Management
Jonathan Webb was shortlisted for an the Art, Media and Publishing award at the Learning and Skills Council's Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards 2008.
Jonathan, who has cerebral palsy and has very severe physical difficulties, first came to East Riding College in 2001 on a National Skill Profile Entry Level course before taking three Art, Design and Media courses. He is now in the first year of a BA (Hons) in Television and Film Design.