Successful options for non-graduates

Many people choose not to go to university and still have many successful career options open to them. You may not want to start a career with student debts or simply want to get on the career ladder straight away. A panel of experts on the Guardian Careers page answered questions in a live Q&A last week on the many career paths open to you – even if you don’t have a degree. Panellists included the HR director of Barclays UK Retail and Business banking, HR manager from Accor UK and a director at the Chartered Institute of Management. They comment and answer questions on careers in banking, retail, legal offices and accounting. They discuss the many options including how to ‘earn while you learn’ and gain qualifications while still receiving a salary. Readers offer success stories among their comments. Read the full range of questions and answers at http://careers.guardian.co.uk/career-advice-without-going-to-university

Working at the Olympics – what does it take?

Ben Whayman runs the Aquatic centre at the Olympic Park. His story of how he got to this point in his career is a real tale of every aspect of job searching and career highs and lows. His article on the Guardian Careers blog starts with following a passion early on (swimming at international level), and initially studying while working. He then graduated in leisure studies, struggled to get a graduate position but eventually built up experience in the public, private and charitable sector.  He crucially also saw the valuable career experience to be gained in volunteering at a key event in his field, long before he could hope to apply for a permanent role. Read more on a career in leisure and event management and see the value of bringing together life and work experience to find your dream job. Read Ben’s story and the full article at  http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/aquatics-centre-olympics-former-lifeguard