A former St David’s student, Nathan, has shared his inspiring journey from A-levels, through choosing a university, to a rewarding career in the fusion energy industry. Reflecting on his time at college, university, and beyond, he offers valuable insights for current students preparing for life after St David’s.
Joining St David’s in Lower Sixth, Nathan pursued A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, and Welsh Baccalaureate. While juggling multiple subjects required strong time management skills, he credits the college’s structured lesson plans and supportive teachers for helping him succeed.
“St David’s encouraged independent learning and taking responsibility for my studies. This was a big shift from my secondary school experience, but it was an excellent preparation for university.”
Like many students, choosing a university and deciding on a degree path was daunting. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of options, Nathan turned to teachers and the college’s careers advisor for guidance.
“I was afraid of choosing the wrong career path, but I realised it’s normal to be unsure. Talking to teachers and advisors helped, and I’d encourage anyone struggling with decisions to do the same.”
Location was another major factor. Torn between staying in Wales to be near family and venturing further afield, he found conversations with peers at St David’s particularly useful in weighing up his options. Choosing a university was a significant decision, and speaking to others gave him a clearer idea of where he wanted to go.
After leaving St David’s, Nathan studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath, including a year-long University of Bath placement at Hinkley Point C. The experience was invaluable, and he highly recommends Bath as a great place to study, especially for those who want to remain within reach of home.
Following graduation, he moved to Oxford and joined the UK Atomic Energy Authority through a two-year graduate scheme. Now working as a Process Engineer, he describes his role as challenging yet deeply rewarding. His University of Bath placement provided him with hands-on industry experience, which helped him transition smoothly into his career.
For those preparing to leave college, whether heading to university or straight into the workforce, Nathan’s key advice is to commit fully to whatever path they choose.
“There’s always an opportunity to change direction if you need to. You’ll be surprised by how well you can adapt to new situations.”
Nathan’s journey is a testament to the strong foundation provided by St David’s, and his story serves as an inspiration to current and future students looking to carve out their paths beyond college.
