It’s fair to say that Clearing is no longer simply a route to university for students who didn’t achieve their predicted grades (although this is how I ended up at Brunel) ; it’s an opportunity for students to apply for a place if they’d like to change institutions or to apply directly if they are yet to decide on a university.
Below I’ve provided insight to my experiences of Clearing, Brunel University and the positive impact the university has had on my career to date.
Choosing Brunel in Clearing
When I found out that I had been rejected from Southampton University, I cried for three days. So many emotions were running through my mind, “I’ll never get into a better University”, “I’ve ruined my career prospects”, and “I’ll never meet my future spouse”. I felt like my entire 10-year plan had been snatched out of my hands.
I still vividly remember the phone call I had with a woman from Brunel’s Clearing department. Her friendly tone and delight on hearing that I wanted to study Economics at the University. It was at this point I realised that I had no need to panic. It’s true what they say when one door closes, another opens.
I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to study at Brunel. (However, I never met my future spouse there, but you can’t have it all).
Fun, friendship and independence
Oh what fun I had at Brunel, but as this is being published I shall omit some of the details! I made friends that I still keep in touch with every single day. I learnt how to cook (this divides opinion), budget, self-study, and most importantly to me, manage the direction of my career.
The positive impact Brunel has had on my career
With Brunel, I was able to undertake a placement year, which was at Newedge brokerage. This proved an invaluable experience that would be the foundation of my career within Financial Crime Prevention.
Graduation came at a time when the full effect of the economic downturn was being felt in graduate recruitment, so I feel exceptionally fortunate that my year in industry and degree allowed me to secure a job at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. I started work before my graduation ceremony, and all due to the skill set I had developed during my time at Brunel.
Brunel is the perfect environment for anyone to thrive. Grasp every opportunity, and not even a global recession will be able to hold you back.