In this week’s blog, I will be discussing my academic journey, starting from my experience at the GCSE level. During school, I was particularly interested in becoming an English teacher. However, I had a strong dislike for subjects like science and math, even though I performed well in them. I didn’t see a future for myself in those careers.
I achieved all 9s in English Language, English Literature, and History at GCSE. After speaking with A-level students about the workload involved in teaching, I decided against taking English as an A-level. Instead, I opted for History, Law, and Politics. I have always been interested in current world affairs and consider myself politically astute. From the failures of the Tory party to the highs and lows of Labour, I kept a watchful eye on political developments.
History has always fascinated me; I loved learning about key events in the world and stories that are often overlooked in mainstream UK schools. Topics like the Armenian genocide, the Bosnian jihad struggle, the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, the Balkan War, the Bangladeshi genocide, the Australian genocide, and the effects of colonization and the Empire all captivated my interest.
The law was intriguing as well; I was curious about the prosecution’s perspective and the various defences available in criminal cases. Learning about Grave Bodily Harm (GBH), Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), fatal and non-fatal cases, the law of tort, property offences, mens rea, and actus reus was particularly interesting. I wanted to understand how the real world functions concerning crime and the associated punishments.
However, everything changed when I reached year 13 and realized that memorizing all these cases was an impossible task. The actual theory behind law felt quite overwhelming. After repeatedly working on case studies, I concluded that I didn’t want to spend my time pursuing this in university.
Additionally, my decision was influenced by religious reasons. I believe that being a lawyer often means defending criminals and liars, and protecting evil actions is considered haram in my faith. While I recognize that I could take cases that are easier wins and explore other areas of law—such as family law, property law, or intellectual property law—it is the criminal lawyers, along with their challenging lower-probability cases, who tend to earn the most.
The lengthy process of getting onto the bar, with its numerous exams and schools, combined with the associated costs, felt overwhelming. As a result, I decided to opt out.
Nevertheless, I didn’t give up on my dream of teaching. As I started university, I became an agency teaching assistant (TA), working in schools across my area. I covered a range of students, from those at the lowest end of the spectrum to those in mainstream schools, as well as those with more significant challenges related to disabilities and autism. Schools throughout Tower Hamlets were impressed with the patience and attitude I brought to my role.
Working with autistic children was challenging, but I gained valuable knowledge and experience from it. I learned how to handle autistic tantrums and outbursts, how to calm a child down, and how to proactively engage with pupils. I also developed skills in discipline and mentoring. The job had its ups and downs; some days were easy, filled with activities like painting and coloring with reception kids, playing with playdough, and enjoying golden time. Other days involved helping Year 6 students articulate responses for SATS-level comprehension mock tests. However, the experience I gained was certainly worth it in my eyes.
I have since left this position due to a career change, but I would recommend that any young person consider becoming a teaching assistant. It will shift your perspective in ways you might not expect—transitioning from being a child yourself to managing small groups of children and having that sense of authority. There’s a profound feeling of accomplishment when a special needs child can confidently write their ABCs and is treated the same as their peers. When a child expresses their gratitude by saying, “Thank you, Sir, you’re the first person who took the time to understand me,” it truly changes your perspective on life and what truly matters.
In the future, I would like to pursue a career in politics, specifically in diplomatic relations or foreign diplomacy. I have always been interested in current world affairs, particularly in military and defense matters. I have read extensively about various topics, including SAS operations, SEAL Team 6, Israel’s Mossad, the French GIGN, the war on terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Desert Storm, 9/11, 7/7, the Bosnian and Armenian wars, the Balkan wars, and the rise of Islamic and far-right extremism.
My dream is to earn a degree in politics and history and study at the prestigious Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, where I aim to obtain a degree in Islamic law and theology. Ultimately, I hope to work in the Ministry of Defense, Home Office, GCHQ, Foreign Office, MI6, or SIS, focusing on military strategy and intelligence in the Middle East. My goal is to help the UK address world conflicts and maintain global peace.
It’s essential always to have a backup plan. My plan B involves obtaining my degree from Westminster, going through the Civil Service Fast Track scheme, and working my way up. I have a family background in civil service, and I believe it offers stability and trust and is one of the best jobs available to graduates. The prospect of becoming a foreign diplomat for the UK, attending meetings in The Hague and at the UN, representing the UK’s national interests, and contributing to world peace truly excites me.
Plan C would be to pursue my teaching training and become a history teacher. I am most passionate about history and have the most experience in this subject. Teaching A-level history is a viable career option for me if other plans do not work out. While I hope that won’t be the case, I believe keeping all options open is important.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Farhang suggested that I write a personal blog, so I didn’t hesitate to share my thoughts; this post comes straight from my mind.
Umar Faruk