With the Olympics now behind us and the Paralympics a week or so away, I thought I’d better steer away from sports punditry and get back to the day job but not before remarking on the extraordinary performance of Team GB. It has been a brilliant two weeks.
Last week A Level results were released and this week, it is time for GCSE results too. These are stressful days for those planning the next stage of their education or seeking to embark on their careers. I remember walking into school to collect my results with an overwhelming sense that the world would stop if I didn’t get the results I needed and expected.
The reality, of course, is somewhat different. I did miss my A Level grades narrowly but still managed to negotiate my way into my first choice university to do my first choice subject. At the time, that seemed all important but, of course, I now know that many of those I’ve worked alongside in my career since went to many different universities doing many different courses. There are myriad ways to achieve the same outcome.
More importantly, I now know that university is not the only route to success. For some careers it is essential but for many others, there are other ways of breaking in. Four weeks ago, I visited Airbus in Filton. I met a young engineer who had just finished his second apprenticeship. His first had been the equivalent of A Levels, the second the equivalent of a degree. He was 21, he had no debt, he owned his own house and he was earning £30,000 a year. Worth thinking about, isn’t it?