My experience as a service child applying to university
University was something I never really considered important. I thought, if I wanted to join the Army, what did I need a degree for?
Lewis Ritchie, Physical Education and Youth Sport graduate, York St John University, and Masters by research student
Being a service child, I always wanted to follow my father’s footsteps by joining the Royal Engineers, as do the majority of service children. So, I thought, what did I need a degree for?
My parents wished for me to gain a trade before joining the Army
This was so that if I did join the Army, and later retire, I would have a trade to fall back on when I returned to civilian life.
So, I got a Level 3 electrical engineering qualification, and then spent a year working with an alarm and CCTV company as an apprentice. But I wanted more – so I enrolled on an Access to Higher Education course, as I didn’t have many other qualifications.
I...