Getting A Job - Do A-Levels Really Count???

[Guitarmarama]

Hi guys. I'd like your advice on this. I'll try and keep it concise and bullet-points.

• Assuming I get CCCD at A-Level (doing English Lit/German/Music/Gen Studies - The D is for nothing in particular), what would an employer's view of this be?
• I'm also hoping to do English Language (Maybe with something related, eg linguistics) at university.
• I am passionate about music and my talent lies in composition - I've somehow managed to compose a great A-Level classical guitar piece with little harmonic knowledge (The theory paper will let me down immensely).
• I've done many musical projects in school, and even had a job for a few months as deputy editor of Ignite Magazine, a student magazine set up by students which planned to go nationwide to high schools for free, but sadly failed due to bad financial management.
• I'm not sure yet what I'd like to do after university. I'd like to be a successful musician but being realistic, probably an office job working around music, whether it be for a music store's sales department or for a big record label.
• I go to a private school and so the pressure on exams is massive and i'm told that exams matter loads and the pressure makes me very stressed about the exams, where my other friends at college seem extremely relaxed yet get amazing grades.

I could go on forever about other things, but you get the idea. What would an employer's view of this be, and what do other people think about grades when getting a job? Thanks in advance.

[Guitarmarama]

Sorry I forgot... I'm not actually an unintelligent kid, because I got 4 A*, 4 A and 2 B at GCSE and I've always done good coursework and things, but it's just the pressures of A-level have dented my self-confidence and hence my exam results.

[Scarlett]

In my experience as a musician, grades don't matter diddly squat if you want to be a performer or composer. Both these areas depend on a lot of luck, and being in the right place at the right time.

However, a lot of musicians end up teaching, for which you DO need qualifications. Plus, if you are looking to be employed by someone else (in an office/record company etc), qualifications will give you the edge over someone who maybe doesn't have them. They also show that you are hard-working/can rise to challenges/can handle deadlines/can handle pressure/take responsibilities seriously etc. There is a lot to be said for taking and passing exams, other than the exam itself.

If I were you, I would do the best I possibly could at my exams. Then have a great time and work hard at University. THEN think about what you would most like to do, and pursue it. Grades are important right now, but keep composing and being creative; all those things look great on your CV and show you as an interesting and whole person, as well as someone who can pass exams!

[acw]

Just to let you know that UWE would take you on those grades of English and Linguistics.  So would Brighton and many others. 

I may have found the perfect course for you though... Oxford Brookes, 3 year undergraduate degree in English Language, Linguistics and music!!!  :-D Here are the details on the UCAS pages. 

The older you get, the less important your grades from younger life are.  Moreover, everything Scarlett said is correct - sheer talent and enthusiasm are what count in music - and it sounds like you've got bags of both.  Just remember to balance study and having fun, and try to keep in mind that you ARE smart and you ARE talented and you WILL succeed! :-)  Just always try your best in everything! :-)

[WoWo]

A Level's don't really matter a great deal to employers in the longer term. They are more of a Uni entry requirement than anything else these days.

A good attitude and willingness to learn will be what people are looking for, once your in a job it's what you do there that will count in the future.

[acw]

Ok, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to say this now.  Many graduate recruitment schemes DO have an A level requirement.  I am applying to firms that require a 2.i AND AAB minimum under the "old style" A level system from a few years ago. 

I didn't want to be negative as I wanted Guitarmarama to feel positive at a stressful time - but I don't want to let him/her be misled.  For recent graduates, a level grades DO count - sorry, but they simply do. 

As I said before though, in the music industry, I'm sure that the talent and enthusiasm that you have will be enough to convince ANY employer to take you on! :-)

As I said before - as the years go by and the experience clocks up, a levels become less important, but in the short term they really do count.  And you can't get the experience without the job, and you sometimes can't get the job without the grades.  Sorry to be so blunt - but life is!

[becks]

A Levels are usually the stepping stone to something more ie a degree, placement, or whatever. What i would question in whether a degree course in english is right for you considering you want to pursue a music career and also whether the course would accept someone with a C in English on an English course. You say you are hoping to do this - is is a place based on what grades you achieve? It's hard to say what an employer would think when you still don't know what you want to do, for example with an english degree and knowledge of music you could make a good music journalist but you'd be no good as a accountant. My advice would be stop worrying about the grades - do the best you can possibly do because there is nothing worse than looking back and knowing you could have done better. In the meantime try loads of work experience, in studios, with producers, music companies, music magazines whatever, and see what you like, that way you might have a better idea of what job you want to pursue. Oh and good luck, you sound bright so you migth surprise yourself with those results.

[redmug100]

As has been stated before results mean nothing in an artistic enviroment unless you're planning on doing something to do with marketing or arts management. As far as general studies goes I'm afraid it will mean absolutly nothing in the world of employment but it will get you points on your uccas form. As far as a degree in English is concened - If your pasionate about it go for it if not forget about about it and do something else. Remember a degree takes 3-4 years and has to be something that keeps you intellectually intersted for that amount of time.

[catra1]

why dont you do a music degree? I just wonder how English as a degree may help you? let me share two case-studies:

> my brother did a degree in popular music (i think It was?) at Barnsley (affiliated to Leeds) he got a 2.1 and has fantastic earning potential. I did a Law degree and my brother's earning potential was greater than mine- one of the reasons I retrained.

> case study 2 a friend from uni doing english language degree but really into music. had his own band and toured pubs and clubs etc very successful. In his third year he decided the degree he was doing wasnt going to help him so he moved to London and ended up working for the company who deal with Oasis. He's not making music now but he's happy wrking in the industry.

so thats it really just trying to get you to think about it a bit. Your passion for music comes out in your email but your passion for your chosen degree subject doesnt- this is a big b generalisation but hope it is food for thought!

Catra

[acw]

Wow - I'd be really interested to hear about the jobs in music that guarantee �90k plus benefits by the age of 30.  I bet Guitarmarama would be too!  Please do tell! :-)  After all - it's never to late for any of us to change our minds! :-)

[jean88]

I think you should just do the best you can for now and see what grades you get, then you go from there, one step at a time. You mention about other peoples grades its not a competition as long as you gave 100% thats fine. From what I see from you GCSE grades you are very bright, but you are just thinking too much. Relax!!

Goog luck

[WoWo]

The point I was making was that when your at school they make out that if you don't get straight A's at A level and GCSE (or whatever they are these days) you will be sweeping the streets for the rest of your life.

Sure there are jobs that want A's at a level but in my industry many people want a 1st from a top Uni, I don't have either A levels or a degree and it's never been a problem for me because I have an excellent career record.

I used the term "in the longer term" to show it's not the be all and end all.

[acw]

WoWo - I didn't mean to disagree with you! *blushes* I just meant that whilst your comments were totally true and very helpful, it's important to remember that the short term does count too!  And that sometimes, the grades are needed to make a start.  I agree it's possible to do things with a great career record, but increasingly these days it's very difficult to get that first foot on the ladder without the grades.  That's all I meant - I wasn't meaning to belittle your answer - it was a very valid point indeed! :-)