Every year many students exceed in their exam results by achieving A’s and A*’s. This is exactly what Rob did, but like many others felt that academic study was not for him. He tells NotGoingToUni about his story and how he ended up overlooking multi-million pound construction projects.

“Due to family problems, I left home and school at the age of 16. I took with me 9 GSCEs - 7 at A-grade and 2 at B-grade. This was before A-stars! I worked in a variety of jobs, mostly in the building trade. I had always had an interest in Engineering, so I ended up as an assistant site engineer, then a trainee land surveyor.

At the end of my 2-years training, I knew as much, or more, than the degree qualified surveyors about the actual practicalities of land surveying and engineering surveying. I then moved to London where I found more work as an assistant engineer. Within 4 weeks, I had replaced the engineer I was working for as a junior site engineer. I moved from strength to strength, finishing my engineering career as the regional engineer with other engineers (graduates) working for me.I have attended and played an extremely active role in high-level meetings on £200M+ jobs with the lead architects and project managers.

Due to my practical knowledge, combined with well-learned engineering theory, I was always listened to. After about 7 years of this, I was fed up with the stress of the job, and decided to retrain as a personal trainer. I now run a business with three trainers of my own, and another business promoting workplace health.

“Do I wish I’d gone to university? No. I reached the same (or greater) heights than my graduate colleagues in engineering, and now I have found my real calling.”

I am glad I didn’t waste three years of my life and a huge debt.”