The realisation has just hit me – it’s been nearly 11 years since I received my A’Level results.

I remember the fear in picking up ‘that envelope’ like it was yesterday. At 6.30am I went to our local paper shop, picking up the Independent, armed with all the clearing places (UCAS wasn’t online then). My Dad drove me to school, I picked up ‘that envelope’, he drove me home, I shut my bedroom door, sat my bed and opened it.

I found A’Levels very hard but I did just get the results to go to Exeter to study French and Spanish. Congratulations to you if you have received ‘that envelope’ and are going on to study your dream course, but if you haven’t got the grades or you aren’t planning on staying on in education, fret not.

I had a wonderful 4 years as a student but having worked in the media industry for 7 years now I really think it is worth pointing out that if you don’t go onto further education it is not the end of the world. Firstly, as much as I believe I did benefit from the experience at university, I have never used my languages in my career, it was the extra-curricular hobbies such as getting involved with Xpression FM – our university radio station which set me in good stead. When I graduated I became a radio Presenter, something I didn’t need a degree for; in fact, working in radio and now in television I have met a variety of people many of whom did not go to university.

Employers want to see a wealth of experience and you to shine, not just a list of qualifications (I don’t know where my degree certificate is incidentally and I have never been asked to show it). Some of the most creative Producers, Programme Directors, Editors and Presenters I have worked with in the industry don’t have degrees, but they do have one thing – passion. They are focussed, determined individuals who have taken every opportunity to get ahead from work experience, to networking, to developing their skills and interests. You don’t have to be an academic, but you do need the drive and ambition to work in this vibrant, exciting industry.