Just got my classification, don't know what to do next

As title says, just got my classification, went to a Uni which is pretty low ranked on the league tables, struggles academically, failed my foundation year, and then my first year, picked my a** up for 2nd and 3rd year and have been awarded a 1st Class hons in Aeronautical Engineering.

I've been offered a graduate job in Engineering with a local company, salary isn't amazing but they are sending me to do a leadership and management course at the same uni as I work which is paid for. I'll be the only grad there which they say means I'll get a lot more attention and training.

Obviously quite shocked as I'm not academically bright and only got a C in GCSE maths and an E in Physics.

Thought about postgraduate but always assumed it would be too challenging for me. I would have applied for something like Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering, possibly Biomedical Engineering.

Not sure what the next steps are, one half of me dreams of applying for a Russell Group uni like Bristol but the other half of me knows I'm not likely to get a sniff with coming from the Uni I have and also having really bad school results.

What is a good next step for me? I know its quite an open ended question but want to be realistic about what I can achieve and know how lucky I am to be selected for an Engineering grad job.

Would it harm my chances at postgraduate if I worked in the grad job for a few years to get some Engineering industry experiences? It's not Nuclear linked but is in the energy sector.

Please elaborate op

Well done on your results
Ask yourself what you really want to do and go for it

Original post by Bob Unsure

As title says, just got my classification, went to a Uni which is pretty low ranked on the league tables, struggles academically, failed my foundation year, and then my first year, picked my a** up for 2nd and 3rd year and have been awarded a 1st Class hons in Aeronautical Engineering.

I've been offered a graduate job in Engineering with a local company, salary isn't amazing but they are sending me to do a leadership and management course at the same uni as I work which is paid for. I'll be the only grad there which they say means I'll get a lot more attention and training.

Obviously quite shocked as I'm not academically bright and only got a C in GCSE maths and an E in Physics.

Thought about postgraduate but always assumed it would be too challenging for me. I would have applied for something like Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering, possibly Biomedical Engineering.

Not sure what the next steps are, one half of me dreams of applying for a Russell Group uni like Bristol but the other half of me knows I'm not likely to get a sniff with coming from the Uni I have and also having really bad school results.

What is a good next step for me? I know its quite an open ended question but want to be realistic about what I can achieve and know how lucky I am to be selected for an Engineering grad job.

Would it harm my chances at postgraduate if I worked in the grad job for a few years to get some Engineering industry experiences? It's not Nuclear linked but is in the energy sector.

Hello there :smile:

Firstly, congratulations on your results! It sounds like you have worked really hard :congrats:

and it is even more impressive that you have already found a job. You should be really proud of yourself and all your achievements.

Your GCSE marks should not be so important considering how well you did at university. You have proved yourself that you can do well.

Of course I cannot tell you what to do. But you could do both things, you do not need to give up your dream of going to a Russell Group uni. In fact I think it will add loads of value to your application if you have some work experience, your amazing marks and any additional courses or volunteering that can help you to be accepted.

Good luck! I am sure you will do great in the future!
Best wishes
Andrea

Reply 4

Anonymy0us

11

Original post by Bob Unsure

As title says, just got my classification, went to a Uni which is pretty low ranked on the league tables, struggles academically, failed my foundation year, and then my first year, picked my a** up for 2nd and 3rd year and have been awarded a 1st Class hons in Aeronautical Engineering.

I've been offered a graduate job in Engineering with a local company, salary isn't amazing but they are sending me to do a leadership and management course at the same uni as I work which is paid for. I'll be the only grad there which they say means I'll get a lot more attention and training.

Obviously quite shocked as I'm not academically bright and only got a C in GCSE maths and an E in Physics.

Thought about postgraduate but always assumed it would be too challenging for me. I would have applied for something like Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering, possibly Biomedical Engineering.

Not sure what the next steps are, one half of me dreams of applying for a Russell Group uni like Bristol but the other half of me knows I'm not likely to get a sniff with coming from the Uni I have and also having really bad school results.

What is a good next step for me? I know its quite an open ended question but want to be realistic about what I can achieve and know how lucky I am to be selected for an Engineering grad job.

Would it harm my chances at postgraduate if I worked in the grad job for a few years to get some Engineering industry experiences? It's not Nuclear linked but is in the energy sector.

How have you been accepted onto an undergraduate programme if you've failed your foundation year? This is confusing

Original post by Bob Unsure

As title says, just got my classification, went to a Uni which is pretty low ranked on the league tables, struggles academically, failed my foundation year, and then my first year, picked my a** up for 2nd and 3rd year and have been awarded a 1st Class hons in Aeronautical Engineering.

I've been offered a graduate job in Engineering with a local company, salary isn't amazing but they are sending me to do a leadership and management course at the same uni as I work which is paid for. I'll be the only grad there which they say means I'll get a lot more attention and training.

Obviously quite shocked as I'm not academically bright and only got a C in GCSE maths and an E in Physics.

Thought about postgraduate but always assumed it would be too challenging for me. I would have applied for something like Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering, possibly Biomedical Engineering.

Not sure what the next steps are, one half of me dreams of applying for a Russell Group uni like Bristol but the other half of me knows I'm not likely to get a sniff with coming from the Uni I have and also having really bad school results.

What is a good next step for me? I know its quite an open ended question but want to be realistic about what I can achieve and know how lucky I am to be selected for an Engineering grad job.

Would it harm my chances at postgraduate if I worked in the grad job for a few years to get some Engineering industry experiences? It's not Nuclear linked but is in the energy sector.

Congrats on the 1st.

You can apply to any Uni with a 1st from anywhere, Oxbridge, RG, everywhere will take you seriously. Even more so if you have professional experience.

Right now, working in a small engineering company sounds ideal for you, you can build confidence without having competition and in 2-3 years time you can consider your next step. That might be to take up a Masters and specialise, or it might be a promotion within the same company, or a move to a larger company. You don't have to plan further than that for now.