#NoWrongPath: My journey after unexpected A Level exam results

As thousands of 17 and 18 year olds in England get their A Level exam results I want to share my story, hopefully it will help someone. I'm Helen, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Kids Inspire and my path wasn't quite what I first expected at 18 years old.

 A Level results day

Helen at 18 years old

I remember opening my results at my parents’ house and my heart sinking. I had passed two A Levels with average grades and got a 'nearly there' with my strongest subject of History. I knew I had struggled with three word heavy courses (English and Geography were my others) but hadn't admitted it to others, let alone myself at the time.

It was the first time in my life I had experienced real failure. I had been at a very good sixth form in Cambridge and felt I had let them down, as well as my parents and myself. Suddenly my dream course of English and Law at UEA was not happening. I had no idea what to do.

What next?

After some tears, I was advised to contact Clearing and secured a place for the following year. I got a full time job in Debenhams customer accounts, re-sat my History A Level and went to London the next year.

I didn't like the course yet carried on as I had worked so hard to get there. Fate then intervened with a major emergency operation that meant I had to leave. Once I'd recovered, I worked for a couple of years in retail in London, but as my body healed my mind was bored.

I decided to return to university. I took another A Level going once a week on a Monday evening to make sure studying was for me - if you work in retail you will know having every Monday off for nearly a year is not that much fun! Weeks of research, interviews and I finally secured a place on my dream course at University of Warwick. At 24 I began as a 'mature student' and loved my four years. I got to spend a year in California (I did say I did my research!) and have lifelong friends from it.

I funded myself and this is how my career really began! I got an on campus job as a conference assistant in the holidays (free accommodation swung the deal) and when it came to graduation, I decided to pursue a career in events.

Life in London - event guru!

Ten years in London followed, some amazing experiences (Royal Albert Hall gala dinner with the now King and Al Gore will forever be a highlight) and meeting incredible colleagues across the arts sector and responsible business worlds who became great friends. But it was another small misstep into what I thought was a dream role that led to me quitting and deciding to take some time, to travel around the world and re-charge my batteries and my mental health.

Shifting focus to Communications and PR 

I then shifted more to communications and PR, working in local government (shout out to London Councils and Essex County Council friends) and the NHS (hello pandemic pals). They are two sectors that teach you how to deal with just about anything - crisis comms is your daily companion as you never know what will come across your desk. The trick is always to collaborate and work with colleagues, lean on each other for support and know that they will be there for you. Mistakes will happen, errors will be made, but together you will grow and learn.

Joining Kids Inspire

I'm now three months into my new role at Kids Inspire, my first in both a charity and a senior management position. The teams here are passionate about their work to help children and young people and each day I am in awe of their commitment.

It's a long way from that day where I thought I’d failed, when I couldn't see my path forward, and didn't know what steps to take. I suppose what I want to say, is this day won't define you, your life is not determined by what results you get. It's not even defined by whether you go to university or not, or your first job, or your second, or your third - indeed any job.

If your grades are what you expect a huge congratulations - head off to training, uni or work and enjoy the experience. If it's not, ask for help, accept those hugs from friends and families, and take any advice your school or college can offer. Don't rush to take the first option you are given, you have time - the world is out there and will be ready and waiting when you are.

Remember there is no wrong path, just your path!