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Next steps in education/ careers in motorsport

I'm only in year 11 but I'm majorly stressing out about like a career because I'm absolutely terrified of being stuck in a job i hate. For my a levels I've picked history, politics and Spanish, I'm predicted decent grades for my gcses. I really don't know if i want to go to uni or anything or if I should even do these a levels???

My absolute dream job would be something in marketing/media for a formula one team, even though it feels impossible saying it, I'm really bad at maths and science so I'd be a rubbish engineer but I like writing and things like that. I dont know if I'm best off trying to get an apprenticeship/work experience with a team or go to uni to study something relevant and try to get a job from there, tbh I'm not keen on the thought of uni it's really intimidating.

I'm scared that I will spend so much time, effort and money on a degree and then not being able to find a job i really love, im not just interested in formula one though I watch formula e and indycar as well but as I live in the UK I feel like f1 would be the most accessible, although I know its hard to get into.
Original post
by Tanooki
I'm only in year 11 but I'm majorly stressing out about like a career because I'm absolutely terrified of being stuck in a job i hate. For my a levels I've picked history, politics and Spanish, I'm predicted decent grades for my gcses. I really don't know if i want to go to uni or anything or if I should even do these a levels???
My absolute dream job would be something in marketing/media for a formula one team, even though it feels impossible saying it, I'm really bad at maths and science so I'd be a rubbish engineer but I like writing and things like that. I dont know if I'm best off trying to get an apprenticeship/work experience with a team or go to uni to study something relevant and try to get a job from there, tbh I'm not keen on the thought of uni it's really intimidating.
I'm scared that I will spend so much time, effort and money on a degree and then not being able to find a job i really love, im not just interested in formula one though I watch formula e and indycar as well but as I live in the UK I feel like f1 would be the most accessible, although I know its hard to get into.

If it's something in motorsports, then your best bet is probably to apply for an apprenticeship.

If it's in marketing/media, then I would either try to apply right after Year 11 or 13, depending on what the requirements are of the apprenticeship. Personally, I would rather play it safe and complete the A Levels first, because it's a complete pain to do them once you have left school/college i.e. you have to pay yourself, organise your own exams, go very far to find a college or exam centre to do them, and any practicals or NEAs that you would have to do you are very likely going to have to travel far for.

Media requires next to nothing to get in, so GCSEs/A Levels alone are fine. It's a similar story with marketing, but I would try to do CIM Level 3 in marketing prior to going in since it would differentiate you from most of the other applicants.

Just because the job is in the motorsports industry, it doesn't mean the qualifications are suddenly different. They are still media and marketing jobs.

Automobile engineering involves more than maths and science, so I won't jump to conclusions. I would speak to engineers in the motor industry to get a second opinion on this, but should you take the uni route, then you would definitely have to contend with a lot of maths and physics. Should you do the degree, you should do a degree in mechanical engineering as opposed to automobile engineering, since it would open more doors (because it's broader). Should you do such a degree, you would need A Level Maths and Physics, which you don't have in your choices above.
Also, uni should you do attend, isn't as intimidating as you might think. It's like an extension of college with more responsibility and more freedom. If you aren't disciplined, then I would be concerned.

I would get a second opinion from someone who works in the industry regarding the above though.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by MindMax2000
If it's something in motorsports, then your best bet is probably to apply for an apprenticeship.
If it's in marketing/media, then I would either try to apply right after Year 11 or 13, depending on what the requirements are of the apprenticeship. Personally, I would rather play it safe and complete the A Levels first, because it's a complete pain to do them once you have left school/college i.e. you have to pay yourself, organise your own exams, go very far to find a college or exam centre to do them, and any practicals or NEAs that you would have to do you are very likely going to have to travel far for.
Media requires next to nothing to get in, so GCSEs/A Levels alone are fine. It's a similar story with marketing, but I would try to do CIM Level 3 in marketing prior to going in since it would differentiate you from most of the other applicants.
Just because the job is in the motorsports industry, it doesn't mean the qualifications are suddenly different. They are still media and marketing jobs.
Automobile engineering involves more than maths and science, so I won't jump to conclusions. I would speak to engineers in the motor industry to get a second opinion on this, but should you take the uni route, then you would definitely have to contend with a lot of maths and physics. Should you do the degree, you should do a degree in mechanical engineering as opposed to automobile engineering, since it would open more doors (because it's broader). Should you do such a degree, you would need A Level Maths and Physics, which you don't have in your choices above.
Also, uni should you do attend, isn't as intimidating as you might think. It's like an extension of college with more responsibility and more freedom. If you aren't disciplined, then I would be concerned.
I would get a second opinion from someone who works in the industry regarding the above though.

Thanks for the insight! I found it very helpful, I think I'm going to complete my a levels and then apply for media apprenticeships in the motorsports industry

Reply 3

Best Unis for Motorsport are Coventry, Oxford Brookes and Birmingham City - you could take a Marketing degree at one of these Unis and get involved in their extra-curricular F1 activities.
Original post
by Tanooki
I'm only in year 11 but I'm majorly stressing out about like a career because I'm absolutely terrified of being stuck in a job i hate. For my a levels I've picked history, politics and Spanish, I'm predicted decent grades for my gcses. I really don't know if i want to go to uni or anything or if I should even do these a levels???
My absolute dream job would be something in marketing/media for a formula one team, even though it feels impossible saying it, I'm really bad at maths and science so I'd be a rubbish engineer but I like writing and things like that. I dont know if I'm best off trying to get an apprenticeship/work experience with a team or go to uni to study something relevant and try to get a job from there, tbh I'm not keen on the thought of uni it's really intimidating.
I'm scared that I will spend so much time, effort and money on a degree and then not being able to find a job i really love, im not just interested in formula one though I watch formula e and indycar as well but as I live in the UK I feel like f1 would be the most accessible, although I know its hard to get into.

Hi,
I would highly recommend emailing Formula One teams and inquiring about possible work experience, internships or summer placements. Also try and find listings for jobs you would like to do in the future at any motorsport team and see what requirements they ask for such as degrees, a levels and other qualifications. Also remember to look at smaller race teams such as national touring car or single seater teams for work experience. And if you get a degree in marketing/media relation's this may open other doors into other areas of work you may find interesting or even lead into a Formula One career later down the line.
Many thanks
Dan - Student Ambassador

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