Studied BTEC National Diploma
in Popular Music

Now lead guitarist and singer of The Ladykillers

Age: 23
Completed Course: 2010

What are you doing now, with your music?
At the moment we're concentrating on preparing for our second album.

So you’re in a band then?
Yes, I’m in a band. I’ve been in the band since I left college so I think it’s coming up to four years now. We started out pretty small and average and we’ve been working really hard at it and it’s progressed.

What's the band called?
We’re called The Ladykillers.

Are you the lead singer?
I do backing vocals, I’m lead guitarist.

So how did you make it into the scene? Did you have a record deal?
We’ve had a few different record deals, it gets a bit complicated. We haven’t found one that really suits us. We first started off as a 50’s rock and roll band, and me and my friend Luke, who is the lead singer, we started playing in my bedroom after college because we both had a mutual love for music. We got a band rolling and we’ve kind of done well with it because of our age. That was a big thing because in that scene it’s more middle-aged to older people because of the nature of the music, it’s an old genre. We kind of mixed that music with a little bit of punk as well which again wasn’t really being done as much, so I think that's kind of the reason why we were successful getting into the scene.

So you spoke to the guy at Wild Records and he got you out there?
Yeah, he got us out there the first time. He wanted us to join the record label, he wanted to record a vinyl with us but when it came down to it it wasn’t going to be the right decision as it was an overseas label. There was another band, similar age doing similar stuff to us that had gone with them the previous year and it didn’t work out.

So we've kept it as more of a mutual thing, where we will go and play shows with each other and their bands come over to us and we host them.  From there it’s just been building things up. You play gigs and get to meet people, they see your shows and like it. You build up contacts.

The guy out there, his record label is really big for the scene so he has a lot of contacts all over the states, mostly California, Vegas, Texas  and New York.   

So any advice you can give to someone thinking about getting into it then?
Don’t be too snobbish about where you play, even if it looks like a dump you don’t know who is watching! And you just need to keep persevering. It is tough and you sometimes feel like giving up and saying is it worth it. But it is, I am 23 and have travelled all over the world playing music, its amazing.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time?
In 5 years' time I would like to be signed to a good label. Probably touring more regularly and hopefully on our 4th or 5th album! Still playing music with the same band.

Studied First Diploma in Science and BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science

Works for BUPA as an Aseptic Operator

Age: 24
Completed course: 2009

What are you doing now?
I work in a pharmaceutical compound unit making chemo drugs for people being cured at home.

What University did you go to?
I did one year at Bristol University and found the living costs too expensive, so I switched to Brunel University in Uxbridge, London.

What did you study?
BSC in Biomedical Sciences.

What did you do after Uni?
I travelled to the Philippines and worked in a big hospital, with a charity called VSO for 3 months doing research work in tuberculosis. I was a team leader and also arranged events to raise the awareness of TB with info about vaccines. I then went to Uxbridge Hospital and did some work there, then I joined BUPA. I love my work and I always make people smile, I'm always positive and happy at work.

Did the courses you studied at Harlow College prepare you for what you do now?
Yes, I was hoping to do dentistry, but when I applied to do biomedical science everything I studied at Harlow College just came back, all the material provided was really,  really helpful.

Have you any advice for others going to University?
If you want to go to another level, go to Uni, be open to the new you! Don't worry what your friends are doing! Don`t limit yourself, be positive!

Did you do much research before going to University?
Yes, I attended the Harlow College Guidance Centre and the staff there helped me a lot. Diana in particular helped me a lot. I couldn`t speak English when I came to College in 2005, I couldn`t say a word in English! Harlow College really prepared me and helped me throughout, applying for University. I am really happy with the service from Harlow College.

When did you realise that this was the area of work you wanted to pursue?
My granddad was a doctor, he said that if you are a doctor or work in a science department you live longer... I have always said since I was 5 years old that I would be a doctor.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to go into your line of work?
I will tell them, you must know what you really want to do, Science is really hard but if you really want it you can do it! I did not even speak English but I still went for it. I did my English course here at Harlow College on the ESOL course.

What skills are important for a scientist?
Be a hard worker, be focused and be a hard worker. Love what you are doing and be good at research.

Where will you be in 5 years' time?
I am going back to university to study to be a dentist, I have also worked as a dental nurse for the last 6 months. So hopefully in 5 years' time I will be a dentist.

Studied NCTJ Fast Track Magazine Journalism

Working as a copywriter for figleaves.com

Age: 23
Completed course: June 2012

How did the course help you progress?
I did English Lit at university and I’ve always been interested in journalism and writing, so I thought this course would be perfect for honing my writing skills. It really helped because I was able to build up my portfolio, and I got to try different things that helped me narrow down exactly which type of writing I wanted to do. Just refined my skills really.

Did you feel more prepared for the workplace when you left college?
I felt so much more confident. Much more prepared than I did after uni, actually. I felt like here it was more geared towards actually getting a job and going to work whereas uni is more like life skills and work as well.

What do you most enjoy about your job?
I love everything. I love writing about... well I’ve just written all the trends for swimwear, lingerie, and I love just the amount of writing I get to do and how varied it is. I’m the only copywriter, so when I started I could sort of say "you know, I’m interested in this... ". That’s why I did the blog and I love writing catalogues and trend copy.

So it’s fashion based as well?
Yeah, it’s good and I work with really lovely people and I get to do some exciting things.

What's been the most interesting piece that you've written?
There’s been so many! One I really enjoyed was a look-book for the press on swimwear trends. I also do an article every month for weddings. It’s called Wedding Planner and it gives brides expert advice on what sort of lingerie to choose for their wedding, what looks good under the dress and how important it is. I also did an advertorial for the Daily Mail when I first started and that was on summer swimwear for men and women, which was fun.

What research did you do into your chosen career?
I did a lot of looking on the internet but my friend actually got a copywriting job at ASOS and I thought "oh wow" and I looked at that and then I typed in fashion copywriter and research about it and thought "that’s really up my street!".

What advice would you give to someone who's applying for university?
I’d say get involved in as much as possible and find the right balance between socialising and doing your work.

What about doing things like writing a personal statement and researching into where they want to go?
Lot of people, before they start uni don’t actually know what they want to do. So I think trying to narrow it down to the career that you actually want to do, then tailoring your personal statement around that.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to be a copywriter?
Get as much experience as possible. Whether it’s copywriting or journalism. I did journalism interning and I worked for a magazine as well. Build up your portfolio as much as possible. I think I got my job because my portfolio was so big. Get as much varied work as possible – it shows that you're adaptable.

What skills do you think are important for a copywriter to have?
Working to deadlines, being organised, making sure you're focused. It’s hard to feel creative all the time, so taking breaks and looking for inspiration and reading as well, actually.

What qualities do you think a good copywriter should have?
I’m quite a perfectionist, so that could be a weakness as well, but I think attention to detail is important. Being quite a people person, being a creative person and keeping up to date with your field.

Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years time?
Still writing, and within fashion, but I’m not sure exactly. I just want to see where it takes me. I’m quite excited, actually, because I don’t know where I’m going to be but I definitely want to be in writing. Just progress with my career, really.