University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the Above? Part 2

University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the Above? Part 2. If Part 1 explored the routes in, Part 2 asks the tougher question: what actually happens when those routes meet reality? Is there such a thing as a 'safe' path into VFX anymore? or is that idea already outdated? In this episode, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam bring together voices from across the industry: university, apprenticeships, and non-traditional routes, to unpack what each path really offers (and what it doesn’t). From Marsida Shpendi’s experience inside higher education, to Ben White and Josh Ebanks proving success without university, to Sam Gallant and Emily Birkett sharing the realities of apprenticeships, this is an honest look at how careers actually take shape. Andy McNamara also tackles one of the biggest questions right now: are universities keeping up with AI, or falling behind student expectations? The big takeaway? There’s no single route! Just different paths, different timelines, and different trade-offs. The episode closes with practical advice for parents and young people navigating those choices. From what questions to ask, to how to deal with the fear of falling behind.