Challenging University Podcast

With creative industries in the UK valued in excess of £100bn and growing 5x faster than the national economy – why is it so hard to access opportunities?

After having her early creative ambitions crushed by elements of the education system, Sam Hornsby knew there had to be a better way to connect young people with the incredible possibilities that the creative industries have to offer. And so, the career exploration app ERIC was born. But not before Sam explored some very different avenues of her own.

Having been turned down by three art schools, Sam decided she was going to become a lawyer – enrolling in university before realising that she was stifling her true self. A chance job ad on Gum Tree led to Sam discovering her appetite for risk-taking and ability to think laterally made her a perfect fit for start-ups where she had the opportunity to think, act, and fail fast under the leadership of some brilliant minds.

During a conversation with her friend, Mae, Sam realised she could use her start-up experience to create the career tool they both wished they’d had. One that allows young people to explore, upskill and access opportunities in the creative industries. These friends became co-founders and today, ERIC is an award-winning resource with a bold aim: to be accessible to every young person in the UK.

In this conversation, we talk about what it takes to be a founder, how it feels to be excluded and why everyone needs to ditch pre-internet ideas about the creative industries.

Learn more:

https://www.meet-eric.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eric-app/

Insta: @theericapp

Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-hornsby-25a95334/

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What motivates you to build a school when you didn't enjoy secondary education?

And how do you gain a Masters Degree in Maritime Security when you barely scraped your GCSE's?

Jordan Wylie MBE is an adventurer and author with more than one incredible story to tell. In this episode, he shares how he went from being a teenage tearaway to serving in the British Army, and how this put him on the path to an academic and cultural education that set the tone for a life of adventure and learning.

From wake-up calls that made him re-evaluate his attitude to life, through to finding the inner strength to tackle phenomenal (and record-breaking) physical and mental challenges, Jordan offers insights and inspiration for anyone who wants to make an impact but feels afraid to try.

To find out more about Jordan's work - and best-selling words - visit https://www.jordanwylie.org/

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Where can a one-way ticket to Israel take you?

For Brad Tipp, it was the beginning of a lifetime of unshackling himself from expectations and following the evolution of technology from manually dealing with mainframes, through to advising US and UK public sector on the finer points of cloud computing.

In our continent-crossing conversation, Brad explains why personal traits are so important; the value of digging your heels in, and why it is vital to keep your integrity when making career decisions.

We also explore the challenges in being a non-graduate in Corporate America and how Brad’s experiences have influenced the way in which he and his wife approach education with their children (and why this is shocking to some of their Seattle neighbours!).

There’s also interesting insights into the maturity of the hiring practices of some of the world’s largest brands, and what it feels like to start over at a start-up.

#TechnologyCareers #LeadershipStories #CareerStories

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What options do you have when you know you’re ready to enter the world of work, but the education system is not designed with this in mind?

Harry Bryars was already using his skills as a copywriter and web developer to earn an income before he sat his GCSEs. By the age of 18, he had established himself as a talented marketing professional, moved into his first flat, and put into action a plan that would see him fulfilling his ambition to move to London.

In our conversation, Harry shares how his aptitude for spotting patterns, and desire to seek out interesting experiences and people, has led to him being debt-free and established in his chosen career at an age when others are just graduating.

He also talks about the life lessons it’s vital to get under your belt early on, and what educators could do to fill this gap.

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What does it take to get into the film industry when you don't have connections?

And how do you earn a degree when you don't 'test well'?

Amanda Dorsett, Head of Production at Resource Productions shares her story of breaking into the film industry, the power of apprenticeships and the opportunities that exist in a sector that is always searching for fresh talent.

She also shares how studying for a degree whilst at work gives you a confidence and edge that isn't there when you've just left school.

To discover how Resource Productions helps young people into the film industry (including the BFI Film Academy for 16-19 year olds) head to: www.resource-productions.co.uk/training

To learn more about the wide range of entry-level roles available, this is a great resource: https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/

To watch the Little English preview, head to: https://www.resource-productions.co.uk/portfolio/#section-group-n4mhF14PzucN9Vpi8KbUH8-1

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When expectations for you to go to university are high (and you’re clearly capable) how do you tell your family that you want to work in tech instead? And how do you find a way in?

Rose Syed is a Technical Cloud Architect and is also the co-founder of the Young Adult Tech Foundation which helps people aged 16-18 who have struggled within the education system to successfully explore the world of technology careers.

In this episode, Rose explains the importance and value of being honest about what you want and the crucial role that life skills play for young people when navigating the adult world.

She also shares how, with her co-founder Richard, their foundation is helping to address a wide range of challenges – from lack of access to IT careers knowledge, through to educating teachers about the world of IT and the skills shortage that impacts employers today.

To find out more about the Young Adult Tech Foundation, visit: https://yatf.org/about

#Careers #TechCareers #WomenInTech

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When injury brings a halt to your professional studies, does it spell the end of your career?

Matt Skelton is a Finance Director with a specialism in technology SMEs and a fascinating career history.

A born problem solver, Matt demonstrates the power of reframing a lack of experience as an opportunity to learn and how saying "yes" to big challenges enabled him to find his niche.

In this episode, Matt explains how you can turn concerns about your qualifications into a means to define the type of work you want to do, and how to identify the kinds of people and organisations you want to work with.

#CareersInTech #CareersInFinance

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What happens if you start university and then decide it isn't for you? Shouldn't you just see it through?

Michael Lonnon has built a career in technology marketing by epitomising the growth mindset of 'fail fast, learn, move on'.

After two false-starts in further and higher education, Michael secured his first role in marketing by asking a direct question and has - ever since - used his tenacity, eye for opportunity and self-belief to carve out the career that he wants.

Michael talks candidly about his early years and experiences, including stints in kitchens and a brief foray into window fitting, and how the challenges he faced spurred him on to bigger and better things.

This is an inspiring episode for anyone who is afraid of making a leap, not sure whether they've made the 'right' education or career decision, or are getting in their own way when it comes to asking for what they want.

To listen to the podcast that Michael hosts, head to: https://www.hso.com/en-gb/resource/dynamics-matters/

To order a free copy of his book, visit: https://www.hso.com/en-gb/resource/confessions/

#careerspodcast #technologymarketing

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If you had to fully support yourself aged 18, what would you do?

In this episode of university, challenged Liz Waugh describes how when her parents relocated abroad she decided to defer a university offer and simultaneously worked three jobs until she found her feet in the world of technology.

From starting out as a specialist in software asset management, Liz has forged an incredible career, taking on leadership roles that would eventually lead to her becoming Global Director of a large IT services organisation.

We talk about:

* navigating corporate life

* learning to own the fact you don't have a degree when everyone assumes that you do

* how important it is to have a supportive partner when combining a career with parenthood

Liz also shares her experiences of coaching a local U15’s female football team and how lateral thinking - and being real about money and lifestyle - helped her open up the world of tech careers to the players.

#techcareers #careerstories #inspiringstories #workingparents

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What happens when you achieve all the right grades to have your pick of the best universities, but then decide that uni life isn’t for you?

Dan Ball is the Founder and CEO of The Early Careers Company and social mobility charity, The Early Careers Foundation.

As a straight A/A* student throughout his school and college life, Dan had originally harboured an ambition to become a neuroscientist until a year out made him re-evaluate where he wanted to direct his energy and talents. So, he stepped into the world of work and now, at just 26, Dan has created two organisations which between them “use careers to transform businesses, advance social mobility and improve lives.”

During our conversation, Dan shares how it’s possible to blend a commercial brain with a social conscience; the impact his parents have on his attitude to life and work; and the traits that have helped him get to where he is today. We talk about politics, ‘getting on with it’, why you need to work even harder when times get tough and why you never want to be asked to bring your own chicken when you’re invited to dinner.

Contains adult language but we’re all grown-ups here, right?

Find out more

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielhball/

The Early Careers Company: https://earlycareerscompany.com/

The Early Careers Foundation: https://earlycareersfoundation.org/

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