Fifteen years after graduating from Northern Regional College, Robert Campbell is using the foundations of his business qualification to support emerging talent, young entrepreneurs and community organisations across Northern Ireland.

Robert completed a BTEC National Diploma in Business at the College’s Coleraine campus in 2011. His career has since taken him through foodservice, transport and logistics, digital marketing and business mentoring before he co-founded Aspire Media N.I. CIC in November 2022.

The social enterprise grew from a community media project created to present a more positive picture of Ballysally and its people. When the original project was due to end, Robert and co-founder Andy recognised an opportunity to build a sustainable organisation that combined professional creative services with meaningful training and experience.

Aspire Media now works across digital marketing, social media management, photography, video production, accredited training and community media. Through its commercial and community work, the organisation also provides opportunities for people to contribute to live projects, develop portfolios and build confidence within the creative industries.

Robert said: “We saw an opportunity to provide professional creative and marketing services while also helping people learn, gain experience and develop their skills.

“Rather than asking somebody to simply observe what we do, we want them to have meaningful involvement. Seeing someone develop their confidence, creativity and practical abilities is a great example of why the social enterprise model matters to us.”

Robert credits his time at Northern Regional College with giving him a broad understanding of marketing, operations, communication and how organisations work.

He added: “My career has taken several different directions, but the core business principles have remained relevant throughout. The qualification gave me a foundation that I have been able to apply across very different industries.”

Previously, Robert volunteered with Sported NI. He now mentors young entrepreneurs through The King’s Trust, helping them develop their ideas, marketing strategies and confidence.

Reflecting on his journey, Robert encouraged current students not to worry if they do not yet have their careers fully mapped out.

“When I completed my qualification at 18, I could not have predicted where my career would take me,” he said.

“Take opportunities to gain experience, speak to people from different industries and do not be afraid if your career moves in an unexpected direction. Fifteen years later, I am still building on the foundation I gained at Northern Regional College.”

“If I could go back and speak to my 18-year-old self, I would tell him to keep pursuing what he wants to do and not to settle for anything less.”

To find out more about courses at the College, visit www.nrc.ac.uk.