Gemma McCoyd has just been awarded a first class masters degree in maths, but has managed to escape the almost inevitably path to the City by turning down an offer of a £100,000 job as an actuary in favour of taking a course in plastering.
McCoyd is the only woman on her course, and at 24, is by far the oldest student. Despite initial wariness, her classmates have accepted her, and she has already picked up three prizes, including a £5000 training grant. On completion of the three year course, McCoyd plans to specialise in restoration, and says "The parts of the course I enjoy the best are intricate things like cornices, coving and fireplaces. I can't carry as many boards as the guys so I just wouldn't be as employable on new-build sites, and I think it would be boring. But it would be amazing to specialise in the fancy stuff".
There are two issues at play here - someone turning down the type of highly paid role associated with their educational level and background, and a woman opting for a career more traditionally chosen by men. Is this an indication that the Generation Y hype may be true,and that the next generation of workers are looking for fulfillment rather than a big paycheck? Or is Gemma McCoyd simply one of those strong minded people who care not a jot for convention?
