We catch up with five graduates – from the universities of Cambridge, Durham, Newcastle, Manchester and Southampton – who have successfully made the transition to the world of work to discover how they did it 

Rupert Myers

Rupert Myers, 31, barrister

Law, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge
Having enjoyed the intellectual challenge of work experience with a law firm, I decided to apply for a law degree at Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge. I loved my time at university, but if I could have done anything differently I would perhaps have had the confidence to take another degree first then convert to law. The many extra years of studying made that seem off-putting, but with hindsight, a few more years of studying might have been fun. The subject was far less creative than I?d hoped, and much more about memorising thousands of case names and judgements. Law is a super-competitive field, and there?s probably a glut of would-be lawyers. My advice would be to brace yourself for the competition ahead, and be sure that it?s for you before throwing money at expensive legal qualifications which aren?t helpful unless you become a lawyer!
Greg Milner

Greg Milner, 24, trainee accountant

Physics, Durham University
I studied maths, further maths, physics and chemistry at A level and, due to my interest in planes and racing cars, I decided to study aeronautical engineering. My ...