What if university isn't the right path for you?
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 15
30 Years. 30 Stories.
Mollie Rose - Candidate of The Brokerage, joined in 2014 said: "At 18 I was disillusioned with the idea of going to university. I loved to work and the thought of student debt was enough to make me consider other options." The Brokerage charity was there to help Mollie navigate her path.
What if university isn't the right path for you?
How one school talk delivered by The Brokerage helped Mollie-Rose build a career in banking - without following the traditional university route.
When Mollie-Rose was 18, she found herself questioning the path that everyone around her seemed to be taking.
University didn't feel like the right choice. She loved working, wanted to start building a career and couldn't ignore the thought of taking on significant student debt. But choosing a different route felt like a leap into the unknown.
Then The Brokerage visited a friend's school.
The talk introduced opportunities Mollie-Rose hadn't realised existed - school leaver programmes, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships that offered another route into professional careers in the city.
"It came at exactly the right time."
That conversation became the beginning of a career that, more than a decade later, has taken Mollie-Rose from her first role in banking to leading relationships with some of the UK's largest corporate clients.
Choosing a different path
After leaving school with three A Levels from Townley Grammar School, Mollie decided not to follow the traditional university route.
Instead, with support from The Brokerage, she explored opportunities that matched both her ambitions and her desire to learn while earning.
The Brokerage worked closely with Mollie-Rose to strengthen her CV, introduced her to opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have discovered and gave her the confidence to pursue a career in the city.
"No question was ever too silly. Having that support made all the difference."
Mollie secured the role that propelled her career
Receiving a role with Commerzbank gave Mollie-Rose the opportunity to begin her career through a Degree Apprenticeship -gaining professional experience while studying remotely.
Alongside working full-time, she achieved:
First Class BA (Hons) Business Studies – University of South Wales
MSc International Business, Leadership and Management (Merit) – University of York
For Mollie-Rose, it proved that there is more than one route to success.
Building a career
Mollie-Rose's career began as a Vocational Trainee within Trade Finance before progressing into Cash Management Sales.
She later spent time working in Commerzbank's Paris office, broadening both her commercial knowledge and international experience.
Today, she is a Director within Transaction Banking Sales at NatWest, supporting large corporate clients with their cash management strategies and helping organisations embrace the future of payments through technology.
Looking back, she credits The Brokerage with giving her the confidence to make a decision that changed the direction of her life.
"I genuinely don't think I'd be where I am today if The Brokerage hadn't helped me take that first step into the City."
More than finding a job
For Mollie-Rose, The Brokerage wasn't simply about securing her first opportunity.
It was about discovering possibilities she hadn't known existed.
From internships and apprenticeships to careers across banking, insurance and law, The Brokerage introduced pathways that expanded her thinking and helped her believe she belonged in professional environments.
"The Brokerage helped me realise I was capable of building a career I hadn't even considered before."
Advice to young people
When asked what advice she would give to someone considering joining The Brokerage today, her answer is simple.
"Sometimes you don't know the true depth of your own capabilities. The Brokerage can help you discover them and open doors you never imagined possible."
She also encourages every young person to make the most of every opportunity available.
"Take advantage of everything on offer. We do our best when we listen, learn from others and make the most of the opportunities in front of us."
Mollie-Rose's Career Path: Candidate at The Brokerage -School Leaver Programme → Degree Apprenticeship → Banking Career → Director
Download Mollie-Rose's full story here and share the impact The Brokerage has in helping young people secure jobs in the city. #SocialMobility
Mollie-Rose's story is one of many that demonstrates the lasting impact of opening doors at the right moment.
What began with a careers talk and a conversation about alternative pathways became the foundation for a successful career in banking, international experience, professional qualifications and leadership.
Today, Mollie-Rose continues to champion the value of apprenticeships, lifelong learning and taking opportunities that challenge expectations.
As part of our 30 Years. 30 Stories. campaign, her journey reminds us that social mobility isn't simply about securing a first job. It's about creating lasting careers, building confidence and enabling young people to realise their potential - wherever that journey may take them.
Where are you now?
Are you alumni from The Brokerage - get in touch and share your story by emailing:
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