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OldBrit · 61-69, M
No very much not so.
All my family had previously worked in the dockyard or navy with the notable exception of one of my grandfathers. But dad was a shipwright, my aunt a tracer, my sister a draughtsperson, my mum worked in the canteen. My uncle was a chief petty officer. My great grandfather was also a shipwright.
I took the entrance exam at 16 secretly from my family. I thought dad would be pleased especially as I passed with flying colours and could pick any trade for an apprenticeship. He went mad at me he knew it was soon to close - 5 years later they pulled the flag down.
So I ended up becoming a software engineer, then database specialist before project, programme and service delivery management positions.
Dad died the year the yard closed only months into his enforced retirement. He only just saw me get my initial qualification. Much of the rest of my career was spent trying to impress a man no longer around to be impressed and always feeling an imposter and out of my place in the world.
I was always a blue collar son in a white collar profession.
All my family had previously worked in the dockyard or navy with the notable exception of one of my grandfathers. But dad was a shipwright, my aunt a tracer, my sister a draughtsperson, my mum worked in the canteen. My uncle was a chief petty officer. My great grandfather was also a shipwright.
I took the entrance exam at 16 secretly from my family. I thought dad would be pleased especially as I passed with flying colours and could pick any trade for an apprenticeship. He went mad at me he knew it was soon to close - 5 years later they pulled the flag down.
So I ended up becoming a software engineer, then database specialist before project, programme and service delivery management positions.
Dad died the year the yard closed only months into his enforced retirement. He only just saw me get my initial qualification. Much of the rest of my career was spent trying to impress a man no longer around to be impressed and always feeling an imposter and out of my place in the world.
I was always a blue collar son in a white collar profession.