Ben Young

Background

About Ben Young

At the golden age of 18, when I knew everything and could be taught nothing, I failed my A levels. Yes, you read that right, I failed!Fast forward a few years and I found myself falling back into the habit of looking for 'arty' things to do, which led me into digital design. Since then, I have worked freelance on projects of varying scale, but always alongside jobs that were just that - a job!When my first child came along in 2012, I realised it was time to stop playing and start getting serious. Almost exactly 1 year later, I started a foundation degree at South Devon College - FdA Creative Digital Media, which I passed with distinction 18 months later (top of my class, I might add.).What happened next is still a bit of a blur. I was working at a reputable website design company in Torquay, when an opportunity came to teach at the same college from which I had graduated from no more than a few months previously. So I took it.Fast forward nine years: I am still teaching at SDC and loving every minute. I have met some fantastic people along the way, students and colleagues, and learned just as much as I have taught.Now I can't help asking myself this one question:"Am I on the same path as some of these greats?"MICHAEL S. DELLDropped out of University at the age of 19. He later founded Dell Technologies and is now worth over $20 billion.STEVE JOBSThe founder of Apple left Reed College at the age of 19 due to the financial burden on his family. BILL GATES"Harvard's most successful dropout" left the University after two years to start what is now Microsoft.MARK ZUCKERBERGApparently taking just 5 minutes to make the decision to quit college, Mark dropped out of Harvard and founded Facebook, which made him the 5th wealthiest man alive.The answer?Probably not, but I can dream!