SBT2269 Careermag for Parents Issue 5 v2 FINAL | Page 16

We spoke to Flex, BTEC Ambassador, presenter for The United Stand and host of the Flex
YouTube channel about his experience as a BTEC learner.
Leaving school and knowing what you’d like to
do for the rest of your life at the age of 16 is a
daunting challenge that we face in our teenage
years. At the time, I found the process just as
confusing as many other young people around
the country. I left secondary school with 7 GCSE
A-Cs and enrolled at college to study A Level
Psychology, Business and PE.
Unfortunately, I found the courses difficult
and my confidence was badly affected by the
experience. In my second year of college I was
introduced to the BTEC Sport qualification and
was instantly drawn to the layout, modules and
flexibility of the course. I went on to achieve
a distinction and this was key to me going on
to further education - especially as I hadn’t
achieved the appropriate grades in psychology
and PE.
After my BTEC, I went to university to study
Exercise and Fitness Practice, with aspirations of
becoming a physiotherapist. I found university
tough and whilst I enjoyed the social aspect, I
didn’t enjoy the learning experience. I didn’t feel
like I was able to fulfil my potential and ended
up leaving the course after one year. I was then
at another crossroad, questioning myself and
wondering if I was smart enough or dedicated
enough to truly be successful. It was then that,
because of my positive BTEC experience, I
decided to take up another vocational course in
electrical installation. I worked as an electrician
for 3 years, before changing direction and
becoming a youth worker after completing a
youth work diploma. I progressed to becoming
a Behavior Manager in a special needs school,
which was incredibly rewarding, and I worked
there for nearly 10 years; but finally, my love of
sport and especially Manchester United, carried
me towards what I do now. I am now a key part
of the YouTube fan channel ‘The United Stand’
(which has nearly 700k subscribers) and I get
to travel the world interacting and interviewing
both football fans and players. After a few
bumps in the road I finally feel like I’ve found my
purpose and am living my passion.
“TAKING A BTEC SHOWED ME
THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT
WAYS OF LEARNING AND MANY
PATHS TO SUCCESS.”
When I look back on my crazy journey, it would
be so easy to see my path as inconsistent.
However, I prefer to see it as a journey of
courage that has developed into something
I could never have imagined. Taking a BTEC
showed me that there were different ways of
learning and many paths to success. I’m proud
that I was brave enough to keep trying different
things until I found the right career for me. I’m
proud of my BTEC, because of the skills and
confidence it gave me while I worked out what
my dream career looked like.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
BTEC SPORT
go.pearson.com/BTECSport