Charlotte Curtis

Case study - Charlotte Curtis

Charlotte Curtis, 17, from Raines Foundation School in London says she was attracted to the Skills4IT programme because she had studied IT at school and really enjoyed it."People always say that computers are going to be big and that you need to know about computers if you want to get a good job," she says."I saw this course as an opportunity to help me get that job."

Charlotte says she was really pleased when she won a place on the programme.She has enjoyed all aspects of the programme so far, but especially the customer service element."I've learnt how to deal with aggressive customers," comments Charlotte, "but I hope I won't have to use it too much at work!"

When she started the course she was interested in web design, but she now prefers customer service roles and is now working at Deloitte as an IT receptionist.This role involves dealing with customers, and Charlotte uses her technical knowledge to make sure that customers get the help they need.She enjoys meeting new people and learning new software.

"The course was great," says Charlotte, "I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to get in to IT because you learn every aspect of the IT industry."She also thinks other women should do the course because the technical side is interesting and "not just boys stuff".

Charlotte thinks that the course was excellent because the tutors at Lewisham College treated the students as adults and this made them want to work."In addition, the two-week and extended placements made her feel comfortable in the workplace and gave her confidence.It also gave her a chance to get used to commuting and the people she would be working with.Charlotte says "The people at Deloitte were really helpful and they treated me as a normal employer so the change from student to permanent was un-noticed."

In the future, Charlotte would like to progress in IT within Deloitte.