"You'll never do anything with your life"

Way back when I was just a spotty student I had entered my second year of sixth form still not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I loved computers and computer games like all teenagers do and knew I wanted to work with them it's just I never felt strong enough academically to want to continue my education at University level. I knew for 2 years at sixth form I'd messed about every free period and drank every weekend for the whole duration. School work wise I could just never concentrate enough to write long essays and answers questions worth 15 marks for explaining what the narrative of a bleeding story I didn't have any interest in. 

I spoke to my careers advisor and they offered nothing but Uni uni uni. I asked my IT teacher for help but he was yet again engrained by the system to push the University agenda where possible. It was at this point I admit I did switch off in his lessons and at times not concentrate and probably push his buttons. However rather than pull me to one side and try and find out what's wrong he simply gave me a massive telling off ending with the line "You'll never amount to anything in your life". That is one line that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Initially it upset me as an impressionable 16 year old however years later it spurs me on every single day. 

Realising that the sixth form was never going to help me find anything other than University I decided to make my next steps myself. Luckily I came across an IT apprenticeship at a place called Zenos academy that was based in Leeds. 8 months later and 68 miles a day in my first clapped out Peugeot 106 I left with numerous industry recognised qualifications and even two Microsoft quals! This kick started my career in IT with a company called Byrom PLC where I had the luxury of travelling to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup and spent 4 very happy years.

If I ever met my IT teacher he'd probably claim it was a school of hard knocks kind of motivation from him but I remember it well it was just crap teaching and I'd become a problem to the sixth form because I wasn't going to be an Undergraduate for them.

But guess what I have made something of my life and I'm making more every single day. Don't let any teacher talk you out of doing what you want to do, if you feel Uni isn't for you don't be afraid to explore the other options around you. Make sure you take advice from all sorts of people as I personally believe colleges and sixth forms have one agenda only and that's University. Don't get me wrong I'm not fully against Uni and understand just how important it is for certain careers. I have two young daughters who I'll fully support if that's what they want to do. I just feel more options should be available for those unsure and not wanting to go.

Ryan Williams - business owner who didn't go to Uni