C/D borderline students, what job/career did you end up working in?

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Dialgax@reddit

Left school with 3 GCSEs, failed college, failed my apprenticeship and worked as a night cleaner for a year. Moved across the country when I was 19, started college back up, only passed because of COVID predicted grades. Joined Uni, failed my dissertation twice and graduated with the lowest grade possible in Cyber Security. Discovered I hated working for someone and working with computers so I decided to start my own business which has been a success. Now found my amazing girlfriend, brought a cat and I am building up our empire. I’ve got two businesses now and my next goal is to build a property portfolio! I’ve never thought I was stupid, I’ve just never been an academic. I got a lot of confidence in what I do and I’m a huge risk taker.

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BlackMountain666@reddit

Looks like you’re on the right track now mate, best of luck with the future - Onwards and upwards.

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Money_Spider420@reddit

You had me at the 'bought a cat' part (that's the real success indicator here lol) But for real, well done mate!!!

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Dialgax@reddit

Thank you. It hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. It’s been a rough road. Never thought I’d be in the position I am now. Take risks whilst you can!!!!

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Money_Spider420@reddit

What would you recommened for someone to read or watch etc if they want to start their own business? It's something I'm really interested down the line (always wanted a lil cafe or so) and you seem to have it down to the T it seems :)

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SWTransGirl@reddit

Having done what they did, kind of; Remember life is short. You only have one crack at it. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. I went from working for a crap manager, they didn’t take criticism, meaning when I left, I setup a business which is in direct competition with them, and we are enjoying Q3 of our second year, earning around 80k, with no debt. Whereas that business was wanting 20k to sell to us (my colleague and I), and 60k in debt. I’ll take my business thanks.

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Dialgax@reddit

I started my carpet cleaning business as my first venture as a way to gain experience and knowledge for the next venture. I never wanted to be a carpet cleaner, I want to be a businessman. But I looked into numerous options and did my research. Join Facebook groups and forums related to the idea and absorb the content as that’s where you’ll learn from already established businesses. I’m not a book guy but I’ve been forcing myself to read self help books such as “how to talk to anyone” (as social skills are key) and “Personal MBA” (for the business) You dont want to get stuck in “thinking mode”, rather just get stuck in and take it one step at the time. It’s daunting and I’m still quite disorganised with it. When I start my next business though I’m going to be following this checklist. (Might be missing some points as I’m making it up right now) * Think of an idea. I’m choosing service related businesses as they aren’t brand new ideas and I know they work. * Research the business, including who will utilise the service and pay the most money. * Research equipment, legal, marketing costs * Contact competitors to get a rough idea of pricing. * Create your branding around your target market * Market, market, market Little things add up too. I pay extra for things like memorable phone numbers, pay extra for a very good van livery etc… as these small additions add up to make a professional image

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Money_Spider420@reddit

Legend! I really appreciate that mate!!! Going to start reading into the things youve recommended and try to apply that into what I'm trying to do and hopefully within a decade I'll get that lil cafe lol. I wish you all the best with your ventures :)!

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Dialgax@reddit

Thank you mate best of luck to you too. I’m sure it’ll be less than 10 years. My friends commonly say they want to start a business but it’s expensive. It’s not the cheapest but there are financing options there if needed. It doesn’t have to cost £100,000s. Luckily enough for me I had a spare 10k to start my carpet cleaning business but you can get started for wayyyyyy less for sure

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decobelle@reddit

Genuine apologies if this is out of line to say, but have you looked into ADHD diagnosis? Lots of things are jumping out there. - having motivation when it's something you care about and you don't have to work for others - failing studies (did you struggle to focus? Procrastinate loads?) - impulsive decisions due to emotions (the fights)

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Dialgax@reddit

Hey that’s not out of line, I’ve looked into it but the waiting list was ridiculous. I did start using ADHD meds I purchased online within the timeframe and whilst they do help with concentration they tend to give me serious mood swings and uncontrollable bursts of anger so I decided against it

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KeyLog256@reddit

If it helps I have ADHD diagnosed as a child, never got on with meds so went it alone. Violence was dealt with by an amazing SEN school that specialised in "bad lads (and girls)" so sorted my act out there before adulthood. What actually helped me massively in adulthood was finding out I also had low testosterone. Injecting testosterone massively improved my concentration, drive, ability to get shit organised/done, and contrary to the common myth, makes most people way less angry and turns you into captain mediator if a fight breaks out. Out of sheer interest - why did you break someone's jaw?

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Dialgax@reddit

I have thought about the low testosterone before so that is something I may look into, but didn’t know it affected people like that. The news report and the CCTV video makes me look like the aggressor, but long story short is that my friend had a physical altercation with the girl he was seeing (she punched him so he pushed her in a bush), so I took him away from the situation and then my “victim” came around the corner with his chest puffed out and squared up to me when I told him to fuck off. We had a little fight which I got the better of him but me being me at the time with something to prove, chased him into view of a camera and punched him once more, which is the punch that knocked him out, broke his jaw and cracked his head on the pavement. Did not know the damage I caused until I got arrested and had to pay for surgery etc…

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KeyLog256@reddit

Low testosterone isn't what most people think, it has nothing to do with the size of your old chap, and you can still "perform" normally unless it's literally zero (which is rare). Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, lack of drive/confidence, constant fatigue, excess fat gain/poor muscle tone, poor sex drive, they're the main factors. Your GP should check if you explain you have these symptoms and would like to "at least rule it out".

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RoohsMama@reddit

Where’d you purchase your adhd meds?

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Individual_Bat_378@reddit

Hi, sorry not the person you asked but id say yes. Right to choose may be quicker but make sure they have a shared care agreement with your GP otherwise you won't get meds. There's a lot of different types of ADHD meds so if you do it through the diagnosis routes they'll try and find one which gives you the benefits without the side effects. (I work for a ADHD diagnosis company, although I do diagnosis not prescribing, who has private, NHS and right to choose contracts so happy to answer questions if it helps!)

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Dialgax@reddit

Thank you. What would be the best route to take? Private or speak to my GP? Thanks

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decobelle@reddit

Private means every single time you need more meds you'll have to pay private prices. If you have lots of disposable income then this is an okay option but I've seen people in the ADHD UK subreddit who started out private then could no longer afford to keep getting their meds. Also, there was a journalist who did a story claiming private diagnoses aren't as good as NHS diagnoses and since then a lot of people have been reporting their GPs refuse to do shared care agreements with those who got a private diagnosis. There are also some who refuse to do it even with right to choose. However the general NHS wait list is several years long for most places. So I'd say best bet is speak to your GP and say you'd like to do Right to Choose, but check if they will do a shared care agreement with them if you're diagnosed. If they say no, you might need to find a new GP which is easier said than done. Check out the ADHDUK Subreddit. Access to assessments and meds is a nightmare at the moment unfortunately.

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bopeepsheep@reddit

Most good private places hand you over to your GP after a set time so you can get NHS prescriptions after that.

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Individual_Bat_378@reddit

Private is very expensive unless you have very good health insurance, I think you need to speak to your GP either way though.

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Opposite_Orange_7856@reddit

How do you go from Uni to having the finances to start your own business?

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Dialgax@reddit

I was working as a doorman and a barman throughout Uni whilst receiving the maximum maintenance loan

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PowerApp101@reddit

Is the lowest possible degree a Pass degree? Like below a third? That's what I got. Didn't really hinder me.

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Dialgax@reddit

I think it was a pass degree. Really? That’s refreshing to know, from what I’ve seen online it is best to not even have the degree! Thanks for letting me know

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PowerApp101@reddit

Well it was 1989 lol. I've never been asked about the grade. Or even had to show the cert.

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Individual_Bat_378@reddit

I'm on the border of being included in this. Solid B student in GCSE, A levels predicted BBB and got BCC, still accepted into my first choice uni and got a 2.2. I've always been reasonably clever but I can't focus till the night before something's due and struggle to pay attention in lectures (can you see where this is going?). Bumbled around for a few years, spent a few years as an outdoor activity instructor, first time Id ever got 100% on every test ended up retraining as a nurse and I'm now working in ADHD diagnosis. It took me until age 30 to find a job that works for me and I love although I did thrive in practical outdoor jobs. I'm now well paid and finally out of debt, have two cats and an amazing husband. I'm also on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment which given my job I can say with a lot of confidence I will get a diagnosis from. Having a work environment which is set up for brains like mine makes all the difference.

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jelly10001@reddit

Sounds very similar to my experience OP, except somehow I managed to get a 2:1 by staying up until 2/3am I on the days when I had coursework due in (and by doing a degree that didn't have many exams, as I cannot sit still and revise for long).

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B0b_Howard@reddit

Left school with 9 C's, 2 D's and an E for GCSE's. Joined the Army at 18. Left after 10 years. Got a job doing IT helpdesk. Worked my way up through different companies to doing Dev/Ops stuff. Now a professional hacker (pen-tester) and I love my job. Took a long time and a hell of a lot of work to get where I am.

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beastes12@reddit

Got 7 C GCSEs, could have probably done better but I was starting the rebellious skiving, drinking and generally being a dick teenage stage. Failed A levels. Did a legal secretary course - triple distinction Did a business BTEC - triple distinction Ba (Hons) Business & Marketing - 1st class honours. Worked in marketing for global FMCG for 10 years. Now a PM in the public sector on £42kish. My mum had a stroke when I was doing the legal secretary course and I think it kinda reset me to actually care and try.

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SpiritedVoice2@reddit

I got C's at GCSEs, D's and E's at A level, then went to uni and scraped a 2:2. Graduated basically clueless! Taught myself to program computers and got a job relatively early on in the internet. Am now fairly senior in a very large company (a household name) and I work amongst / manage people coming out of top universities with doctorates, etc. Part of me thinks I got a lucky break starting in the earlier days of internet. But another part of me knows I worked really hard once I left education and also that in some industries meritocracy does exist. In my experience all the good grades == good uni == good job stuff is not the full story. Sure it will give you a huge leg up but you need to work hard at a career and as many people have found you can find a satisfying and useful vocation without grade As and a Duke of Edinburgh gold award!

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KatVanWall@reddit

My cousin was written off as useless by his school and left with a few mid GCSEs. Started working in a factory. The company offered him an apprenticeship and were subsequently so impressed with him that they sponsored him to do an HNC or HND in Engineering (I forget which) and then to upgrade it to a degree. He progressed from there until he eventually got a PhD in Engineering and now works for a huge multinational company and lives in Australia! Turned out he’d been acting up in school because he was under stimulated, rebellious and actually really bright - just hated reading.

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decobelle@reddit

There's something to be said for specialising in what you're interested in earlier. There's currently a big focus on being "well rounded", and the idea is you want to be able to keep all your options open. I kind of get that. But schools have been pushed to have as many students as possible doing an Ebacc (English, Maths, Science, a humanity, and a language) which has led to arts and technology subjects falling by the wayside. I dropped Maths, Science, Languages and PE as soon as I could and loved when I reached sixth form and could fully focus in on subjects I enjoyed. For me this was English, Classics, Drama, Social studies, and ICT. My degree followed a similar path, and all my jobs since have been ones that have benefited from me having that background (I.e ones where it doesn't matter that I stopped taking maths and science). I imagine if you'd been able to do the reverse, and take lots of engineering and technical subjects with lots of hands on learning you may well have enjoyed school more and still ended up in the same career you're in now.

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Regular-Ad1814@reddit

>I feel we never hear about those in the middle much. Surely B/C would be middle ?

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Regular-Ad1814@reddit

I would say I was in the middle, maybe upper middle, got a couple of As in subjects I needed / liked. Got Bs in most other things and a couple of C's in the subjects I hated and didn't have time for. Went to a bang average uni (3rd best or 2nd worst in the city I moved to), did no work until my last year, walked out with a 2,1 in Information Technology (note. This is not a software dev/coding degree). Worked my way up as a Business analyst, Product Owner and now Technical IT Product Manager on 80k per year in Scotland working fully remote. Was never and still not the smartest in a room but I am very relentless if I want to pursue something so that has dragged me along.

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Izwe@reddit

Absolutely, the grades are now 1-9, so 5 is in the middle, which is right smack between the old B/C grades

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Wishmaster891@reddit

data analyst

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thebroadisbored@reddit

How did you get into that?

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Wishmaster891@reddit

had an office job , got good at excel. Moved into a data role, took a couple of years but i got there.

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Dolphin_Spotter@reddit

Left school with 5 O Levels at 16. Got an apprenticeship, got paid to do BTEC, BSc, MSc. Ended up managing a team of IT specialists.

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Andromeda98_@reddit

I failed my gcses due to mental health, i was too depressed to care. Never studied, the highest I got was a D. Most were Fs. Then I went to college, dropped out. Tried again, dropped out. Finally got my shit together and did a level 3 course in social sciences and humanties, did pretty well. decided not to go to uni because humanties degrees are useless. Been working part time at tesco ever since. Desperately trying to find a better or even full time job but had no success. I feel like such a fuck up, I'm 26 now.

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Negative_Innovation@reddit

Got a qualification and work experience with no student debt, you're doing well, don't be so harsh to yourself. You're 26 and got a lot you can achieve. Sounds like the local job market near you is poor though, may need to start planning for a move away to somewhere else

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spikeboy4@reddit

Middling GCSEs, failed my a levels first time, scraped through the second time with Ds and Es. Worked in IT support, then became an engineer, then local IT for a big international company. Then IT project manager, IT BA and now solutions architect. Most of my other friends did worse than me at school and are all in the trades, doing pretty well for themselves. My coworkers are usually surprised to learn I have no degrees or professional qualifications. Salary wise, I'm doing pretty well for myself, it's a fairly influential position in a big company, and I have a lot of freedom and autonomy, plus flexibility on working etc. So overall, pretty good! People shouldn't let bad grades get them down, some people are just not very good at exams, but otherwise bright or have strengths in other areas.

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birge55@reddit

My career path over the last 20 years was. Gardening - tree surgery - forestry machine operator - team supervisor - contracts manager. Overall I think I did ok from a gardening job at the hotel I did as a summer job. I have always offered the advice that if you always show willingness to learn you can get ahead. I soaked up training and opportunities at every job I have had.

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birge55@reddit

My gcse were bccdd if I remember correctly. A level ccc. One year of uni which I didn’t enjoy so quit.

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brothererrr@reddit

Got mixed As/A*s at uni but completely flopped a levels with ACC. Don’t smoke weed kids 🙂 I just did a foundation year before transferring to the original course at the original uni I wanted to go to

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cant_dyno@reddit

I got three Ds at Alevel. No one to blame but myself I just didn't try. I could have gone to uni and done a foundation year but decided against that, didn't want to go just for the sake of it. Would have ended terribly if I had. Went and worked retail instead for 4 years while I sorted my mental health out. I then went to uni as a mature student. Got a first in a humanities degree and now I'm a civil servant.

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TheDawiWhisperer@reddit

I left school with 10 C (and a single B) for my GCSEs. i left school in 1999 during "go and work in IT" boom and did a GNVQ in IT for a couple of years. Then i got a job in IT, working on a Service Desk doing basic first line stuff, now i'm a senior techy at a bank, looking after all their servers, networking, firewalls etc.

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fergie_89@reddit

So I did well ok at GCSE b/C, A level? DDE. I COULD have gotten into uni but I lacked backing due to no family. Homeless stint while doing an apprenticeship in Business Admin. Went to college to get a HNC in my 20s and worked in Admin for a decade. (18-28) Swapped to property at 27. Worked my way up from renting firms admin, to leasehold block management and now in a global company as their Property Head. I'm 32. I manage all of our UK sites (as tenants) and am helping build us up further in Europe. I'll be travelling with work internationally next year too. I still have no degree, don't want one, but my current firm are putting me through RICS and other qualifications. Turns out I'm motivated by something I'm passionate about. Who knew that homeless 17 year old with no family would turn it round and become a success and married to a wonderful man with his own firm and are buying our forever home after owning for the last 5 years. School isn't for everyone but finding a way to learn in a field you enjoy can change everything.

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BCS24@reddit

Left school with C/D Alevels, got on a foundation course for Biology and chemistry through clearing, transferred to just Chemistry at a better uni. Graduated with a 2:2 and then got on a finance grad scheme. Now work in finance as a qualified accountant.

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Reasonable_Ad3736@reddit

BCDs at GCSE. No A Levels, left school at 16 and floated around until I found I enjoyed a role that needed a degree. Got into Uni when you could do a foundation year with “life experience”, got my degree and enjoyed uni so much I never left. I’m SLT now 10 years after graduating and earn a lot more than my friends from school who did A Levels. I’m almost 40 and am truly happy with how my life has turned out.

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thatscotbird@reddit

I went to university and got a degree and now I’ve worked in the finance department of a top law firm for 7/8 years, doing much better than some of my A graded peers.

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slappedarse79@reddit

Civil servant

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forgottenoldusername@reddit

I got a few Bs but mostly C and D on GCSE. At A Level I got ACD. Didn't hate school, one of those kids who's constantly told there not preforming to their potential (get told that as an adult tbf). I went to uni to do photography. Took about 3 weeks before I decided that was shit and looked to change. Finished the year though. Then went on to do a science related degree at a mediocre uni. And then an MSc at a redbrick uni. I used to work as a consultant, doing analytical/engineering/transport planning for government clients. I now work for an arm of government as a strategic transport planner - which is a mix of policy development, heavy analysis stuff, and delivering major infrastructure. To be fair - I'm pretty proud of myself. Especially the fact I got an MSc through research, I'm well proud of that. My head of year after AS level said some people are just not meant to be academic - proved that guy wrong.

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FranzLeFroggo@reddit

Average GCSES, shit a-levels, low ranking uni, got a masters, now work in the events industry.

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Doublebow@reddit

Growing up I was always one of the "bright" kids, I always knew the answer, however I could never get my thoughts down on paper very well (at least not in the fashion that was required at school) so throughout GCSEs and A Levels I was a straight C student (bar GCSE Biology where I got a B and German where I got an E). Thanks to my mediocrity I ended up going to a low ranking Uni but did well and came top of my class with a strong First. I was then offered a few funded/partially funded masters at top Unis but I was so sick of education I rejected them all and got a job as an environmental monitoring tech where the pay is perfectly mediocre. I can't complain too much as compared to most of my peers I am doing well for my age, I own my own home and drive a nice car and go on a few nice holidays each year and never struggle financially but I still feel very mediocre (not that it's bad thing).

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Grace_Monroe@reddit

I got 5 GCSEs (I think? Genuinely can’t remember) and have no A-Levels. I’m now a marketing exec in book publishing. It was always my dream to work in this industry! I worked hard by doing internships, work experience for a family member who needed someone to run her social media for her business, and I did online courses too. I’m 26 and have never been asked about/for my qualifications in any interview or job application.

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No-Pattern9603@reddit

Buyer in IT, just kept saying yes to stuff as a contractor which gave me the experience I needed to get into a high paying role (that's all it's got going for, soul crushing corporate existence beyond that)

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twistinmymelonmann@reddit

I did average in my GCSEs, I passed 6 with Cs and Bs and went on to do a level 3 extended diploma at college, got into Law school then dropped out, now I’m doing a warehouse job. I earn enough to allow me to travel and other nice things, but I want to better myself so I plan on resitting maths once I pass my driving test and doing a vet nurse apprenticeship.

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UrMomDotCom666@reddit

my psychology teacher got BDE in their a levels. then went on to get a first from kings and a PhD.

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oliviaxlow@reddit

I got CCD in my A Levels and barely scraped my maths GCSE. I now work in public sector marketing earning a decent salary and doing pretty well for myself. Not once in my 8 year career so far has my education ever come up as a point of contention. Not that I’m aware of, anyway!

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supply19@reddit

Ironically an exams officer in a secondary school after a gap year, degree in theology, gap year, 12 years as a faith based youth worker, t moved to a school as a cover supervisor and rose through the support ranks to EO!

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SeaworthinessOdd9380@reddit

I was first working two part time jobs as a baker and a waitress in a pub. But I went back to education and now work as an environmental technical advisor at a local planning authority, but I'm looking at more field/lab positions focusing on botany and entomology.

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10642alh@reddit

My sister was exactly this and is now a dental nurse. She earns more than me, a teacher, with a degree, PGCE, MA and PhD....

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That_Northern_bloke@reddit

Did great in GCSEs, A levels considerably less so! Now work in the charity sector doing environmental education and engagement work. Never going to be the best paid, but I'm not in a high stress high end job, and I can leave work at the door at 4pm, so I'd say it's a winner

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copperrequired@reddit

Left school without about three GCSEs, went to college to do A-Levels and came out with B, C and D as I was never taught how to study and a full time carer for my Mum. Got into University, got a First in my degree and later went into do a Masters by Research which got upgraded to a PhD. I now work as a Researcher in a University. Woo!

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TheRealGabbro@reddit

I got a D and two Es at A-level, and one of those was General Studies! I graduated with a degree in Building (Construction Management) from a polytechnic and got on a graduate training programme with a major national contractor. Over 30 years later I now co-own a small project management consultancy and have never been happier at work.

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Boredpanda31@reddit

Project Manager in the NHS. I did find my niche in admin eventually (took me almost all of High school), and I've worked up from there. Put myself through some courses and some others my work have put me through.

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