For students across the UK, GCSE results day is a mix of sweaty palms, racing hearts and dreams about what comes next. As it trends on social media across the UK, it’s easy to focus on the grades alone. While it may feel a defining moment for students, they are at the start of a journey that one day could lead to them building engineering breakthroughs and technology solutions that help shape our skies and create a safer and more sustainable world.
Most of us can recall the feeling of waiting to find out what’s inside the envelope. In this blog, we share perspectives from two early-career professionals on their experiences of results day, and why the skills, mindset, and opportunities that come after GCSEs matter more than the envelope alone.
What does GCSE results day feel like?
Meet Joe Thompson, a first-year economics student at the University of Nottingham who recently completed an internship at ADS. Jack Wootton is a Transformation Portfolio Manager at SERCO and is part of the leadership team for the ADS New Professionals Forum.
What do you remember most about GCSE Results Day?
Joe – I remember waking up so worried about my grades. Luckily it was a day of relief for me, with time spent celebrating with friends in the evening.
Jack –For me it was fear, excitement, anticipation and – in the end – elation!
What happened next?
Joe – After my GCSEs I went on to study Economics, Maths and Chemistry, these were the three subjects I enjoyed most at GCSE and as a result, I loved studying them at A level.
Jack – I sat 10 GCSEs, and went on to study History, German, English Language and Theatre Studies at A-Level. Following my A-Levels, I went on to read German at the University of St Andrews.
Are the subjects relevant to your role?
Joe – The GCSEs I did were relevant to my current role as an Economist, in as much as I focused on humanities instead of creative subjects. Although relevant, I followed what subjects I enjoyed and that led me to the role I have.
Jack – Whilst the subjects themselves may not have been entirely relevant to my current role, I think the transferable skills that you develop whilst studying your GCSEs can really set you up for the rest of your life. Being able to balance study, extra-curricular activities, other hobbies, and a social life is entirely relevant to the working world, and I think the discipline that I developed whilst I was revising (setting a schedule, developing time management skills, and working on a variety of subjects concurrently) has been incredibly beneficial for my current role as well.
What advice would you give students receiving their results today?
Joe – Firstly congratulations! Whether you’ve achieved what you set out for or not, it’s important to remember that the grades might matter today, but they are just the first step in a much bigger journey.
After receiving my GCSEs, I stayed on to study at the college connected to my school. They were great for helping me decide my A levels and gave me advice on where each subject could take me. More than anything though they encouraged me to pick the subjects I enjoyed the most.
Jack – It’s an important moment, but it doesn’t define your future. If you get the grades you were hoping for, then that is truly excellent news and I’d advise applying the work ethic that you developed whilst studying in future aspects of your academic or working life. If you don’t quite get the grades you were hoping for, then that is also ok. Allow yourself time to reflect and apply some perspective to your situation. Make an action plan and set yourself goals to help you get to the next stage of your life.
What’s your ‘I wish I’d known’ moment?
Joe – There was one ‘I wish I’d known’ moment but luckily I was on the correct side of it. While picking my GCSEs I changed at the last minute from computer science to economics. I’d never done economics before, but I was intrigued by what I’d heard about it. I was planning on taking computer science because of the opportunities it would offer but I am so glad I chose to do what interested me the most. This was the moment I look back on and realise how important it is to follow what you enjoy rather than what might offer the most opportunities down the line. Opportunities are important but they won’t be worth it if you don’t love what you do.
Jack – I wish I’d known that – whilst important at that stage in my life – my GCSE results weren’t necessarily going to be the defining feature of the rest of my life. I remember being very stressed and putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well, but I wish I’d given myself a bit more breathing space and allowed myself time to put my exams into perspective. I’m incredibly grateful to, and proud of, my past self for working hard to get the grades that I needed, but I have also done a lot of other amazing things since then that haven’t necessarily been a direct result of my grades. Work hard, but be kind to yourself.
Both Joe and Jack illustrate that results day is part of the bigger conversation around skills and opportunity. GCSEs might feel like the defining moment for students, but they are only the start. As employers, we have an opportunity to inspire, attract and support the next generation of talent and while exam results matter, they don’t define a person’s potential or their route into a successful career.
Want to help shape our future workforce?
Join our special interest and policy groups that support talent development and growth:
- New Professionals Forum (NPF)
A networking and professional development forum for industry professionals new to the aerospace, defence, security & space sectors.
New Professionals Forum (NPF) – SIGs, Groups and Committees – ADS Group
- Skills & Workforce Shortages Working Group
Bringing together ADS members across our sectors and partner organisations to agree campaign priorities and engagement activity; and represent the interests of our members when engaging with influential stakeholders.
- HR & Legal Forum
A special Interest group for ADS Members and stakeholders involved in HR, Legal and Governance support functions within their businesses.
HR & Legal Forum – SIGs, Groups and Committees – ADS Group
