u/Goldminer435

I’ll try to keep this structured because my brain is currently going in 20 directions at once, sorry for the post length.

Background

I’m 22, UK-based, and took an engineering apprenticeship route instead of university after sixth form. I’ve spent the last few years working in advanced manufacturing within aerospace/defence environments doing things like automation projects, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, robotics integration, process improvement, and digital manufacturing work.

I’ve done well professionally for my age — led projects, delivered significant cost savings, gained real industry experience, and completed an engineering qualification alongside working full-time.

The issue is my current situation has become unstable. A lot changed internally after organisational restructuring, and the long-term progression/funding path I originally expected no longer exists. I’m now approaching the end of a fixed-term arrangement and looking at what comes next.

The ADHD side

I have ADHD and honestly it explains a lot in hindsight.

I struggled with attention and structure growing up, but the upside is I hyperfocus intensely on things I genuinely care about. I learn fast, obsess over improving, and throw myself fully into projects that interest me.

The downside is I get drained badly by repetitive admin-heavy work, excessive bureaucracy, or environments where I feel like I’m no longer learning.

I work best when I’m solving problems, building things, learning quickly, and working on real-world technical challenges.

What I actually enjoy

The areas I genuinely enjoy most are:

•Additive manufacturing

•CAD/design work

•Automation/digital manufacturing

•Technology-focused engineering

•Cars and working on them mechanically

•Buying/fixing/improving things

•Trading/investing

•PCs, gaming, tech, and learning new software/tools

•The idea of building a business or doing something on my own terms eventually

•Fast-moving environments where things are constantly changing

One thing that’s made me reflect recently is that outside of engineering, I naturally gravitate toward projects where I have ownership and direct results.

For example, since I was 18 I’ve bought several cars that needed work, fixed/improved them myself, then sold them on and upgraded into something better each time. I genuinely enjoy the process of spotting value, improving something, and turning it into profit.

I’ve also spent years learning trading/investing independently, which probably says something about how my brain works too.

I tend to go “all in” on things.

The degree situation

One of the biggest factors in all of this is my degree situation.

I received an unconditional offer last year for the BEng Manufacturing Technology degree at the AMRC / University of Sheffield, which is honestly one of the best advanced manufacturing-focused programmes in the UK.

It’s not a traditional full-time university course — it’s a part-time industry-funded degree designed for people already working in engineering. The setup is ideal for me because it combines real industry work with advanced manufacturing, digital technology, automation, and research-focused learning.

Places are extremely competitive and limited nationally.

I originally had to defer my place because of internal issues and funding uncertainty at my company after major restructuring changes. At the time I was basically told things would eventually get sorted.

Fast forward to now and I’ve since been moved onto a fixed-term contract, and the company has now confirmed they won’t fund the degree at all.

So I’m now in a position where:

•I already earned a place once

•I deferred it because of company circumstances outside my control

•I may lose the place entirely if I can’t secure a new employer willing to support/fund it before next year

If that happens, I’d have to go through the entire application/interview process again and compete for one of a very small number of places nationally.

That’s part of why this decision feels so high pressure to me right now.

The job search

I’ve been applying aggressively and currently have multiple interviews/processes ongoing with a mix of medium-sized firms, advanced manufacturing companies, defence contractors, and globally recognised engineering/aerospace organisations.

So far I’ve had around 8 interviews across different companies and industries, ranging from highly corporate/stable environments to smaller fast-moving engineering businesses and startup-style opportunities.

I’m still awaiting responses from half of them. Some of the feedback has honestly been really encouraging, which is part of why I’m struggling to decide what direction actually fits me best long term. I’ve not had any negative feedback bout my experience and unique skills, and they love the industry 4.0 experience I have, but the issue is just that always someone else has more years of experience and that’s the only real negative.

Some paths offer stability, structure, and a clearer corporate career ladder.

Others seem far more exciting technically, faster-paced, and aligned with how my brain naturally works — but with more uncertainty and risk attached.

The dilemma

This is where I’m stuck mentally.

•Do I prioritise stability, security, and making sure I •secure employer support for the degree?

•Do I chase the more exciting/high-growth opportunities even if they’re riskier?

•Does my ADHD profile actually mean I’d thrive more in faster-moving environments/startups rather than huge corporations?

•Should I lean harder into digital manufacturing/additive/automation because that’s what genuinely excites me, even if it narrows my options?

•Is the fact I’m constantly drawn toward trading, side projects, fixing/flipping things, and business ideas a sign I should eventually work toward building something of my own instead of climbing a corporate ladder forever?

•Am I actually better suited to building businesses, solving problems, and creating things than sitting inside rigid corporate structures long term?

•Or am I overthinking all of this at 22 and just need to pick a direction and keep moving?

I know I’m still young, but it genuinely feels like the next move could massively shape the trajectory of my life and career.

Would appreciate advice from anyone who’s been through similar — especially people with ADHD, engineering backgrounds, or people who struggled choosing between stability vs excitement early in their career.

I’ll try to keep this structured because my brain is currently going in 20 directions at once, sorry for the post length.

Background

I’m 22, UK-based, and took an engineering apprenticeship route instead of university after sixth form. I’ve spent the last few years working in advanced manufacturing within aerospace/defence environments doing things like automation projects, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, robotics integration, process improvement, and digital manufacturing work.

I’ve done well professionally for my age — led projects, delivered significant cost savings, gained real industry experience, and completed an engineering qualification alongside working full-time.

The issue is my current situation has become unstable. A lot changed internally after organisational restructuring, and the long-term progression/funding path I originally expected no longer exists. I’m now approaching the end of a fixed-term arrangement and looking at what comes next.

The ADHD side

I have ADHD and honestly it explains a lot in hindsight.

I struggled with attention and structure growing up, but the upside is I hyperfocus intensely on things I genuinely care about. I learn fast, obsess over improving, and throw myself fully into projects that interest me.

The downside is I get drained badly by repetitive admin-heavy work, excessive bureaucracy, or environments where I feel like I’m no longer learning.

I work best when I’m solving problems, building things, learning quickly, and working on real-world technical challenges.

What I actually enjoy

The areas I genuinely enjoy most are:

•Additive manufacturing

•CAD/design work

•Automation/digital manufacturing

•Technology-focused engineering

•Cars and working on them mechanically

•Buying/fixing/improving things

•Trading/investing

•PCs, gaming, tech, and learning new software/tools

•The idea of building a business or doing something on my own terms eventually

•Fast-moving environments where things are constantly changing

One thing that’s made me reflect recently is that outside of engineering, I naturally gravitate toward projects where I have ownership and direct results.

For example, since I was 18 I’ve bought several cars that needed work, fixed/improved them myself, then sold them on and upgraded into something better each time. I genuinely enjoy the process of spotting value, improving something, and turning it into profit.

I’ve also spent years learning trading/investing independently, which probably says something about how my brain works too.

I tend to go “all in” on things.

The degree situation

One of the biggest factors in all of this is my degree situation.

I received an unconditional offer last year for the BEng Manufacturing Technology degree at the AMRC / University of Sheffield, which is honestly one of the best advanced manufacturing-focused programmes in the UK.

It’s not a traditional full-time university course — it’s a part-time industry-funded degree designed for people already working in engineering. The setup is ideal for me because it combines real industry work with advanced manufacturing, digital technology, automation, and research-focused learning.

Places are extremely competitive and limited nationally.

I originally had to defer my place because of internal issues and funding uncertainty at my company after major restructuring changes. At the time I was basically told things would eventually get sorted.

Fast forward to now and I’ve since been moved onto a fixed-term contract, and the company has now confirmed they won’t fund the degree at all.

So I’m now in a position where:

•I already earned a place once

•I deferred it because of company circumstances outside my control

•I may lose the place entirely if I can’t secure a new employer willing to support/fund it before next year

If that happens, I’d have to go through the entire application/interview process again and compete for one of a very small number of places nationally.

That’s part of why this decision feels so high pressure to me right now.

The job search

I’ve been applying aggressively and currently have multiple interviews/processes ongoing with a mix of medium-sized firms, advanced manufacturing companies, defence contractors, and globally recognised engineering/aerospace organisations.

So far I’ve had around 8 interviews across different companies and industries, ranging from highly corporate/stable environments to smaller fast-moving engineering businesses and startup-style opportunities.

I’m still awaiting responses from half of them. Some of the feedback has honestly been really encouraging, which is part of why I’m struggling to decide what direction actually fits me best long term. I’ve not had any negative feedback bout my experience and unique skills, and they love the industry 4.0 experience I have, but the issue is just that always someone else has more years of experience and that’s the only real negative.

Some paths offer stability, structure, and a clearer corporate career ladder.

Others seem far more exciting technically, faster-paced, and aligned with how my brain naturally works — but with more uncertainty and risk attached.

The dilemma

This is where I’m stuck mentally.

•Do I prioritise stability, security, and making sure I •secure employer support for the degree?

•Do I chase the more exciting/high-growth opportunities even if they’re riskier?

•Does my ADHD profile actually mean I’d thrive more in faster-moving environments/startups rather than huge corporations?

•Should I lean harder into digital manufacturing/additive/automation because that’s what genuinely excites me, even if it narrows my options?

•Is the fact I’m constantly drawn toward trading, side projects, fixing/flipping things, and business ideas a sign I should eventually work toward building something of my own instead of climbing a corporate ladder forever?

•Am I actually better suited to building businesses, solving problems, and creating things than sitting inside rigid corporate structures long term?

•Or am I overthinking all of this at 22 and just need to pick a direction and keep moving?

I know I’m still young, but it genuinely feels like the next move could massively shape the trajectory of my life and career.

Would appreciate advice from anyone who’s been through similar — especially people with ADHD, engineering backgrounds, or people who struggled choosing between stability vs excitement early in their career.