Why I didn't go to Uni & What I did instead

If you asked me what I wanted to do at the beginning of my final year at college, I'd tell you I wanted to study Business Management (2-year in company*) at the Nottingham Trent University. Fast forward to the end of that year, and University seems like the worst decision I could ever make in my life. So why the (not so) sudden change?

2-year in company*= full time placement alongside full time study (a.k.a. physically and mentally draining)

Reasons why I didn't go to University

• I preferred working. I used to have a part-time warehouse job while at college, and I loved saving money and working towards my targets.

• I didn't enjoy being a full-time student. I don't think my brain is wired to memorise information and study all day. I could hardly study at all during college because I simply could not focus. I was much better at coursework subjects like Art & Design, in which I got an A*.

• I didn't like the commitment. Committing to 3 or 4 years of your life to a subject that you aren't sure you can even digest is a pretty risky option, I think. An apprenticeship gave me the flexibility of changing industries, or positions after completing the course. Plus, it was only a one-year commitment (with another year for Level 4 if I want to).

• I didn't want the debt. I plan on starting my own business in the future and I don't think I need the Uni debt on top of the bank loans for my enterprise.

• I thought a Management degree is unnecessary to work in business. Apprenticeships exist in order for people like me to transition from school to working in an organisation. Many people work their way to the top, and that sounds like the better option for me.

• I knew what I wanted to do (after a bit of research, of course). Why should I do a degree in marketing when I know exactly that I want to work in digital marketing. Emphasis on ''work'' because at University I would just been given theory for the most part.

• I wanted to start my career as soon as possible. I could not wait to start working. I personally get greater satisfaction from work than I have ever done from getting a good grade at school.

• I wouldn't know what to study anyway (not because I haven't done enough research, but because nothing seemed interesting to me.) 3 years of theory on marketing, management or something else- it doesn't seem like I would enjoy life if I had to wake up and work towards something that I can't see me bringing any real-world effects immediately. Maybe I'm just impatient and I want to see my work having an impact now, rather than in 3 years time? Maybe, or maybe I'm crazy for thinking I can go far without a degree. We'll see...

By accident

Once upon a time lived a girl who was scrolling through her emails one night, and she came across one of the weekly bulletins from the college, promoting some major bank that is providing finance apprenticeships.

I've never really knew much about apprenticeships apart from that they were in vocational trades such as hairdressing. When I discovered the amazing range of modern apprenticeships, I could not believe it! Why was this never advertised to me? All the tutors and teachers had us held captive while we march in unison, saying ''I will go to University''. From my own research, I learned about apprenticeships in HR, Project Management, Finance, Marketing, and Degree Apprenticeships in more specialised fields like Engineering.

Starting from the bottom

Having completed my A-levels (which are Level 3 qualifications), the next logical step was to do a Level 4 (Higher) Apprenticeship. I always knew I wanted to work in business, and marketing seemed like it was combining the creative side with the professional business aspect. I wanted to do something important to the organisation that I work for- I wanted my hard work to count, to have real value. Digital Marketing was the better looking option for me (I also looked into Business Administration Apprenticeships). So I decided to do a Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing, with the option of progressing onto Level 4 (giving me a total of 2 years of work w/study).

Dealing with disapproval

When I told my parents about not going to University, to put it lightly, they didn't take it well. It took hours of convincing them; countless arguments about how I'm sabotaging my future. Why so harsh you may ask? In order to relate to this, you have to be from an immigrant family. It's the sorts of values that are instilled in children of immigrants that create this immense pressure on education and opportunity.

My decision of not going to Uni, to them, means that I am throwing away all those years my parents spent trying to create a better life and a better future for me and my brother. We came to England from a disadvantaged background; a small and rough town in Poland, to an island of opportunity, enterprise and potential (sort of like the American Dream). The values that I have to make the most of this life in England have been instilled in me ever since I came here at the age of 9. That is why I took part in countless after school clubs, granting me the title of a ''musical genius'' by my music teacher in secondary school. I went to probably 95% of the school trips that were offered to me. All this is because I lived with the thought in my head that ''I would never have gotten these kinds of opportunities in Poland''.

You can imagine that my parents were pretty shocked and even offended that I neglected the logical path to ''success'' - a.k.a. what they see as success (money, status and being educated). My family in Poland did not take it well either. My grandma was telling me that I would be flipping burgers for the rest of my life, if I didn't go to Uni...right, okay. It got so bad that I decided not to visit my family for the Summer because if I went, I would just get bullied into going to University.

Careers Advice

At my college, I wanted to confirm that...um...to be honest, I have no idea why I went to my college's career's adviser. Perhaps I wanted to prove to my family and teachers that even a professional thinks that I'm making the right choice for me. That was not the case. I sat down in the old lady's office and I could not say a word about my non-Uni options that I've researched, because every-time I would bring them up, she would look at me with disapproving eyes. When I told her about how amazing digital marketing sounds to me, and that the only way I can get into it is to do an advanced apprenticeship, she said words that cut my wings:

''You're not going to get far.''

I went to a professional careers adviser to get some support for my decision and all I got was bias, pro-uni and nothing else, bullsh*t. Excuse my language, but how can she judge me and my potential just because I'm not following the road to success that the college wants me to take.

In all honesty, that made me even more determined because I will get far and it doesn't matter that I chose this road, as oppose to the other. And even if I don't get far, there are other things in life that one can succeed at. Status, position, money and career aren't everything. Whatever happened to hobbies, family, relationships, artistic expression, travel, passions, enterprise (even if it fails)? All those things can be classed on a scale of success and failure. But at the end of the day, you live by your own rules and you decide what success means to you.

Why Digital Marketing?

What fascinated me about Digital Marketing was the business nature of the field, combined with the creativity of content creation (blogging, design etc). From my 6 months of experience from working in this field, I have learned so much, and been given so much responsibility. The role is so varied and the industry keeps on changing and is so interesting. It's hard work of course, but it's very rewarding too - especially when you get the company to work with a major client. That is why I love it - I love seeing my work having direct impact on the company's opportunities and future profitability.

My Advice

University is not for everyone and it is not guaranteed that you will be a failure if you don't go. At the same time it's not guaranteed that you will be the next Bill Gates if you do go (he dropped out but ya know). University is not a must in the 21st Century, and there are better ways to get into the field you want to get in to. Research traineeships, work, school-leaver programmes, start your own business, gap year opportunities and finally apprenticeships. Do not let pressure make a bad decision for you. If you doubt yourself about going or not going, that is great because it's better to take the long way than the wrong way - (quote me on that).

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All photographs belong to Cindy Sherman. One of my biggest inspirations.

#university #apprenticeships #careersadvice