Life beyond Radford
Gareth Clarke
- Bachelor Degree, University of Sydney, Aeronautical Engineering, 2003-2007
What does life look for you now?
Living in Brisbane with wife and two beautiful daughters.
When you were young, what were you hoping to be when you grew up?
Formula 1 aerodynamicist
What is your favourite Radford moment?
Muck up day was mega. Was in no way prepared for the emotions that came over us all. Excited, scared, relieved, and just a little bit rambunctious.
Do you have a particular role model or inspirational figure from Radford or now?
Mr Webster. The man exemplifies dignity and discipline yet is very real, always believed in us, and perfect comic timing.
How easy was it to decide what to do in life?
Deciding was easy. Convincing life that it had to listen to my plans is not so easy. When things didn't go to plan or it looked hard, focusing on core values made decisions easier.
Did your further study or career go exactly as you'd planned?
Yes and no... got the degree, then realised my dream career path was not compatible with family. In hind sight it wouldn't have made me happy, so I know I made the right choices. Somehow now I work designing pools and water parks, which carries waaay more cred with my kids than the original plan.
What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you were at Radford?
That it will be ok. That
What advice do you have for current students?
1. Being a teenager and studying is hard. It's true. The pressure of school can feel immense, and it can feel like you are waiting for life to start.
You're not doing it wrong. It just is hard.
2. People that say "these are the best days of your life" may have made choices to create that outcome for themselves. It doesn't have to be your story. Radford for me was great, but University was even better.
3. Some of the happiest people I know did not go to University; there are many paths and it's ok to try many paths.
4. Year 12 does not have to determine the rest of your life; there's always a way to get to where ever you want to go even if you decide late or have set backs.