Brother’s a failure; does that mean I am going to be one too?

No.

Nothing is certain in this life. The most important thing is that you try your best.

But if it is hardwired into my genetics by my lack of intelligence

Why did you do the same degree as your brother?

And I wouldn't say you have a lack of intelligence considering you got B grades which may be frowned upon by some here but are still better than a lot of people. Anyway, with your grades you have access to loads of professions where you can be "successful"

But if it is hardwired into my genetics by my lack of intelligence

That's a pathetic excuse. Take some responsibility for your shortcomings instead of blaming factors outside of your control and then take steps to improve your current condition.

Maybe, but the evidence does speak for itself; I show startling similarities with him..

Maybe, but the evidence does speak for itself; I show startling similarities with him..

Well you got Bs and a 2.2 yourself, that wasn't his fault. But I have heard a 2.2 in science isn't that bad and you can do quite a bit with it compared to other degrees with a 2.2. Doing a masters just because you haven't found something else isn't necessarily the best idea though, it doesn't make up for getting a 2.2 so employers will still see the 2.2 grade and you're spending a lot of money on something that might not be that valuable to you.

You could still be a teacher or go into research or something, think of what you want to do and work out the route to get there.

He got CCE at A-levels in 1999, although he says that they would be worth AAA now. He got a 3^rd class in Biological Sciences at Kings College in 2002 and struggled to find work for several years. Finally, he sustained a job as a teacher for four years, but then got fired for some reason. He is now living at home, 33 and jobless.

In contrast, I got BBBB at A- levels and went to Birmingham University to do the same degree that he did and got a 2:2. However, I have struggled to find work for three years and thus have succumbed to the pressure of up taking a master’s course to support my CV. Like him, I am 25 and still living at home with parents.

I am worried that I have the same level of intelligence that he has and thus will be confined to the same fate as he.

Boiler repair pays on par with actual engineering for instance, but is much easier.

Seriously?

Not that I work in it myself, but the adverts are often mixed in by job sites with actual engineering positions. See for instance: http://www.networxrecruitment.com/Jobs/Advert/90413?FromSearch=false&ad=68101&js=156&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Indeed

The downside is that this pay doesn't really go anywhere. You will still be on £28k or whatever at 50 unless you move into managing the business, whereas for a "real" engineer it's just starting pay.