*pats Gary on the back

There there....there there.

Well I am not an engineer but I am a uni graduate and my partner works in recruitment usually dealing with laborers, welders and certain engineers.

Maybe ten years ago things were differnt but nowadays University degrees are not essential.
Experience by far is the most important thing for emplyment and not education.
However on that argument, an 18 year old fresh from school is going to have a harder time finding a job then a graduate.

I would suggest taking a gap year and looking for work when you leave school. This year working will help you find employment at the end of your degree as well as get you looking forward to dossing about for 3 years at uni.

From the engineers I have spoken to involved in this sport have said that robotic combat has really helped them get the job. This tells your employers that you do this thing for a hobby.

Any hows take care. Feel your pain gary. Had a lecturer specialize in CGI coding and he gave me such grief. When you could make out what he was saying it was mostly rubbish any way.