I saw so many young individuals receive their HSC results at the end of last year, so congratulations to those who achieved highly and will go on to fulfil their dreams.

But my column this month is for those of you who maybe didn't do as well as you would have liked, those who may now be facing the prospect of having to change their "plans".

This is to tell you that it's okay if things didn't play out as you expected - it's not the end.

When I left school, I successfully went on to university and completed the degree I had planned to do, but when I returned to Leeton and began looking for a job, the grim reality of my situation was realised.

While I had the piece of paper to say I could do the job, I had no real-life experience and so often, that is where job interviews stopped.

"You have everything we are looking for but we want someone with a bit more experience" was the response I received from over 16 interview panels at that time.

So if I learned anything, it was that experience matters just as much as a degree, if not more in many situations.

A good attitude, a lot of confidence and a little initiative can get you very far.

So don't get your mum to apply on your behalf for that job you want ... get out there and show potential employers that although you didn't do as well as you would have liked, that is not going to stop you achieving your dreams.

That is what employers like to see.