I graduated today for the second time in a year. Now, to add to my title of “Linda Mingay BSc Hons (1st class)”, I am now “Linda Mingay BSc Hons (1st Class) PGCE”. All of which would be good if it meant anything at all but it means nothing without a job.

It was lovely to see my friends from the course, however fleetingly and I’m sure my Mum, Dad and DM were proud to see me go and collect my award but for me it was another indication of spectacular failure. I used to have a fantastic (if stressful) job that defined me as a successful person – a businesswoman, a market researcher, a marketer, 30 years’ valuable experience in business and a boss. I had no qualifications. Now I still have those 30 years’ experience coupled with the qualifications and I can’t get a job for love, money or the want of trying.

Mum - thanks for taking this shot for me today.