Thousands of people receiving A-Level results today will already have wrestled with going to university or simply going straight into work.
If you’ve received your results today, a massive congratulations. This is a huge milestone, and you should be incredibly proud. Now, as you think about your next steps, you might be considering a career in communications – be that PR, social media or advertising account management. And while many might tell you that university is the only path forward, I’m here to offer a different perspective.
Having worked in agencies across the Midlands for the past 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand that a university degree isn’t the only ticket to success. I’ve welcomed many work experience students to my agency and some 18 year olds performed better than students who spent three years at university.
Don’t get me wrong, for some, university is a brilliant, life-changing experience. My own son is thriving while studying journalism at Salford University. However, I truly believe you can build a successful, fulfilling career in this industry without racking up thousands of pounds in debt.
So, what do you need to succeed? It’s less about a degree and more about the right mindset and skills. The most valuable assets you can bring to an agency are a strong work ethic, a can-do attitude and a real flair for writing with impeccable accuracy. These are the qualities that will make you stand out and help you grow.
Your Next Steps
So, if you’re ready to jump straight into the world of work, here’s a simple plan to get started:
- Build your local list – create a comprehensive list of all the agencies in your area that you can realistically travel to.
- Get on LinkedIn – set up a professional, honest profile. There are countless online guides to help you make it shine.
- Start connecting – use LinkedIn to start linking with local agencies and their teams. Follow them, engage with their content and get on their radar.
- Reach out directly – don’t be afraid to contact agencies directly. Ask about junior roles or, even better, if they have any work experience opportunities. Showing initiative is a huge plus.
Every year Jeremy Clarkson comes out with the same tweet around failing his A Levels. This year he’s building a helicopter pad in his garden after get a C and two Us at A Level. Results aren’t everything. Life is about taking opportunities and thriving.
If you want any advice, email me – hazel@hazelroche.com.
Visit me on LinkedIn.
Read more of my blogs.