Pursuing a career rather than going to university

“I found I was studying alongside university graduates… just without more than £30,000 of student debt to worry about.” - Sophia

I was 17 when I first thought I wanted to be an accountant. Before that, I was sure I wanted to be a fashion designer. But that lost its appeal and I started getting keen on analysing figures instead.

So I left St Brendan’s College aged 18 and went straight into working for Haines Watts. I did a lot of research before making my decision – over the benefits of practical experience versus university qualifications – and I was confident I was doing the right thing.

What was instantly interesting once I started my apprenticeship was that I was studying alongside university graduates who had left with degrees in accounting and finance. I was at the same level – just without more than £30,000 of student debt to worry about.

So now I’m 22, I have studied a Level 4 and Level 7 apprenticeships, both with Kaplan Financial, and have picked up skills in analysis, business acumen and commercial awareness, all supported by real-world examples from the workplace.

Exams? I’ve done 15 of them in total, over four years. They’re all exams I would have needed to complete if I’d been to university – I’ve just finished them three years earlier than everyone else. And it’s not like I was looking to get into a career in a London investment bank, where which degree you say and which university you went to are all that count. Practical experience and the right attitude have stood me in really good stead.

Have I missed out on anything? Well, my main concern when making this decision was my social life – not having the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the UK and around the world. But I’m fortunate in having a few friends who went to university in Cardiff, which is close by so I could go and visit them at weekends.

So while I’ve missed some of the social aspect of university, it’s not a massive loss. And I’d advise anyone who’s in the position I was in four years ago to think of the future benefits of whichever option.

In a few years, 10 years out from leaving college, I expect to be in a managerial role, free of debt, looking after clients. That’s going to be a great place to be.

In any case, I’m meeting plenty of good people through work. My mentor Zoe is really helpful and the office environment for us trainees is really good, with plenty of senior people to talk to if I need help with anything.

I’m satisfied with where I am but I’m ambitious about what I want to achieve next. When things go back to normal I’d like to start managing client relationships a bit more. Overall though, I definitely think I’ve made the right decisions.

“My grandparents were stunned when I told them I wasn’t going to university. It all makes sense now.” - Robbie

I’ve always worked, I’ve liked earning my own money and spending my own money. The whole debt thing has always seemed really unattractive to me. So as soon as I started my A-levels I knew I didn’t want to take the ‘natural’ next step onto university. I wanted to start a career.

During my last years at school I self-funded a bookkeeping course through my part-time job as a life-guard. Shortly after leaving I landed a job with a small accounting practice in Bridgwater, near where I grew up. I started my professional qualifications and then joined Haines Watts just before the pandemic hit.

I’ve been grafting at my qualifications for five years now and I found out last December that I’d qualified. It’s not been an easy route, the accountancy exams are extremely tough and having that continuous pressure – rather than a few months at the end of a degree – was pretty intense.

I’ve had my setbacks along the way, too. But I had a goal to aim for and the determination and resilience to get me through. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, that now I’m going to recharge the batteries, enjoy what I’ve achieved and work out what I want to do next.

So I’m 23 now, living in Bedminster in my own house which I bought with a friend at the beginning of February. I’m debt-free, sustaining my own lifestyle.

Did I miss out by not going to university? Yes and no. I didn’t make the friendships that I might have done – my friendship group is very local whereas my brother, who went to university, has friends all over the place. But I’ve put the work in early and I’ll be able to benefit economically and in the long-term.

We were all pushed towards the university route at school but I knew for definite that I didn’t want to take that option. I remember my grandparents being stunned when I told them. But it all makes sense to them now.

I think if you’re dedicated and ready to put socialising on the back burner, going straight into work is an option which will pay dividends later.

Also as a graduate, you’re competing against everyone else and it can be really hard to find work. When I left school, I applied for lots of roles and was offered four jobs in the space of a week.

It’s been good working with a bigger practice, too. The old firm in Somerset was traditional, old-fashioned, paper-based with no feedback on how the job was being done. There wasn’t a trainee programme offered, in the way that a larger company like Haines Watts would.

I just want people to know that there are alternative routes into any profession. University’s not for everyone and there’s often societal pressure to go down a route which you end up in debt for.

In the grand scheme of things, I definitely think I’ve done the right thing.

If you think an apprenticeship is the right path to follow, get in touch and let us know. 

Matthew Bracher, managing director, believes there are many benefits to taking on young accountants who have decided to pursue careers rather than going to university.

Anyone who takes on a career at the age of 18 and recognises the long-term advantages of avoiding significant debt is demonstrating a maturity and shrewdness which reflects well on their personality. These are the type of people we are looking to offer opportunities to as they see the world in a pragmatic way.

In addition, we are interested in being able to train young talent in the values and practices we expect at Haines Watts – it is rewarding to see them develop into people who can really advise and help other people. Having a degree doesn’t always give those personal skills that we look for.

We have an established trainee programme here in addition to manager and partner level development programmes, which works well for us as a business and is a key part of facilitating growth in the SME market, as well as our longer term ambitions.