Don’t Follow that Uni Crowd!

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Sean Parker, Mark Zuckerberg all either dropped out of or didn’t bother attending university. At 20 do you think Zuckerberg thought, hmm in 4 years time I’m going to be the world’s youngest billionaire? No probably not, Facebook hadn’t even entered his mind until 4 years later he drunkenly, without knowing set up a social network that would change the world forever.

With uni charges rising year upon year is it really worth the £30-40 grand bill at the end of it for a piece of paper and a load of pictures of you fully covered in blue body paint like a smurf? Sure university has its advantages, but in 3 years time ill be just as qualified with money in my pocket, and as established career. Rather than applying for the same post-grad position that thousands of other graduates are applying for. I went to uni because everyone else did and it looked fun. Sharply realising I’ve never followed any crowd and this was no different. This structure of life just wasn’t for me. Did I really want to wait 4 more years before I can even think about getting rich?

I started here at In The Zone on the 1st of March 2011 and eight months later I am very pleased with my progress. I have felt right at home ever since I started my apprenticeship after completing a seven week summer stint in 2010. Anyone who ever enters In The Zone talks about how welcoming and friendly the place is and I am no different. I have been made to feel important to the company giving my own ideas and opinions where necessary. I have been involved in all areas of the business from simple business matters, admin to bookkeeping and payroll with telephone answering in between.

Since starting in March I have completed an NVQ level 3 in business admin to distinction level through Runshaw adult college. I had to cram this 12 month course into 5 months to then enrol onto the AAT level 2 course which I began in September, which includes a day release to the Blackpool and Fylde College. So far 6 weeks in, the course has been much harder than the business admin NVQ, which is what I expected and wanted as the NVQ was not the most challenging qualification I have ever done.

Along with the training/lessons I am having away from work. I am also having in house training on bookkeeping, payroll, sage and life lessons everyday. Not a day goes by where I don’t learn something new. I am trusted with more and more responsibility every week therefore it’s important for me to know and understand every aspect of the company, so I am always looking to learn new things about the business and I believe that there is no better platform than here. There is such a wealth of experience from a collection of successful individuals within the company that I can only be thankful for such a fantastic opportunity.

There is no doubt that I have landed on my feet here at In The Zone. Up until starting here, I had drifted through college and life with no real determination to pursue anything but that time made me realise if I want something I am the only one who can do anything about it. University was not the right choice for me, as someone who lacked self discipline it was never going to work. Where as with the structure of a full time job and part time studying with something I have a real interest in, I have grown up in more ways than one. I have new goals in life, not just being a self success, but being part of this company’s success and hopefully am a driving force behind it. The company has given me the platform that no where else could, without a degree or past experience. In many ways it is like going to university. I will be equally as qualified in 4 years and will have being paid to do it instead of paying to do it and have a secure job at the end of it.

I hope to continue to go from strength to strength personally, as I hope the company continues to grow at the accelerating rate it has for the last 12 months. 2012 certainly holds extremely exciting prospects for both myself and the company and I can’t wait to get stuck in.