Magan Magan
Alumni, C2C Scholarship recipient and Mentor.
The story below is Magan’s experience with the Fitzroy Computer Clubhouse as written in the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network’s
“Where Are They now? Inspiring Stories From Around the Computer Clubhouse Network.” -
“In 2005, when he was 17, Magan Magan’s friend invited him to visit the Fitzroy Computer Clubhouse in their hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Magan didn’t use computers a lot and thought that the Clubhouse was for younger kids, he decided to give it a try.
Although Magan was a bit shy, the first time he walked through the doors of the clubhouse, but he remembers really “clicking” with the Coordinator. He liked the laid back atmosphere and the fact members could work on whatever interested them. “It wasn’t just about sitting in front of the computer screen,” he remembers, “you could just go and talk to the Coordinator and your friends about anything.” He started going twice a week and became a member.
As someone who was already focused with his schoolwork, Magan used the tools of the Clubhouse to take his school projects to an exciting new level. For example, instead of presenting his essays in written text, he could now bring them to life with visuals created at the Clubhouse with Photoshop and PowerPoint.
Thinking back to why he kept coming to the Clubhouse week after week, Magan can see how his day-to-day activities there gradually propelled him to where he is today. “It may seem that you just come here to do your assignment, but you’ll meet and talk to people who know stuff who can get you places, help wit career pathways and education,” he explains.
When he first came to the Clubhouse, Magan was interested in higher education, but he wasn’t sure what to do first. Clubhouse staff, Members and Mentors talked to him about his goals. Then he enrolled in the Clubhouse-tot-College/Career (C2C) program where Members can gain job-related skills and participate in academic planning. In 2007, Magan was awarded the Intel computer Clubhouse Network C2C Scholarship. That award, he says, “really opened my eyes to the fact that I can get things that I apply and try for.”
Magan completed high school and had begun a certification program in science at Victoria University. He was also accepted into a Bachelor Degree program in Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine. He is excited and optimistic about the future. After completing his current degree he would like to do further study and complete a degree in Lab Medicine. Eventually, Magan looks forward to owning a clinic that offers a variety of medical treatments.
Although he acquired great software skills at the Clubhouse and it helped him in school, he considers what he learned from the other people in the Clubhouse to be just as important. “Previously, I wouldn’t have known how to go about talking to new people – now, although I’m still not perfect, I’m a lot better.”
Magan remains actively involved in the Clubhouse as an alumnus and Mentor, and sometimes speaks at events on behalf of the Clubhouse.”