• At A Level I did Geography, History and Economics.
• I did Geography at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

After working for a few years in publishing, I retrained as a computer programmer. The combination of arts & ITC qualifications and experience enabled me to grab an unexpected opening in a new satellite communications company.

There are always various routes into any organisation – but after banging my head against brick walls for a year I got a lucky break into a fast track.

I have a high level of independence and I am free from personnel management responsibilities (which I’ve had plenty of in the past). I travel when I consider it necessary, mostly just within the UK and occasionally to Europe. In the past I’ve been a big long-haul traveller.

Don’t think that you have to study all arts or all science/STEM subjects – follow whatever combination of things interest you. Sooner or later, you’ll find your niche.

Work your butt off, do as many varied and interesting things as you can and try to develop yourself into a well-rounded individual who is obviously keen and enthusiastic without being nerdy or naïve. Companies will love you.

Besides having spent 25 years in the space industry, I’m also a published writer and novelist. Being able to write well (and touch-type!) has been a huge advantage in a high-tech industry where many very smart people have difficulty in articulating their ideas. It pays off in other ways, too: I once won a luxury holiday in China by writing 97 words for a competition in a travel magazine.