🎓 When the System Shuts You Out, Build Your Own Path

Why graduates need a GAME Plan for life beyond rejection

It’s the question every graduate dreads: “What’s next?”For too many today, the answer is bleak. Rejections from AI-driven recruitment systems, unpaid internships, demoralising trips to the Jobcentre, and—inevitably—signing on for Universal Credit.

Recent reports highlight a shocking reality: over 630,000 graduates are now claiming Universal Credit. That’s more than one in nine claimants. Behind each statistic is a young life weighed down by debt, dashed expectations, and a sense of betrayal.

The Betrayal of a Generation

• “An entire generation of Britain’s youth were duped, first by the Blair / Brown government and then by every succeeding government.” – Kevin O’Sullivan

• “Blair sold young people a lie. £50k for a superfluous degree and a brain addled with woke nostrums.” – Andrew Dale

• “These poor young people have been conned. A non-STEM degree from a former polytechnic is worth nothing to most employers.” – Robert Axton

This isn’t just an economic failure—it’s a human one. For decades, successive governments promised that higher education was the golden ticket to prosperity. Instead, we have saddled young people with £50,000+ of debt and handed them to a labour market that rejects them before they even meet a human being.

Systemic Failure

• “The way applicants are treated by these companies is disgraceful. We go through three or four stages, jumping through every hoop, to not even be sent a courtesy rejection email.” – Emily, graduate in article

• “It’s honestly just a never-ending cycle. The way to get experience is by doing things for free.” – Sofia, graduate in article

• “If the job they seek isn’t where they are, they must go where it is. Living in a poky bedsit with a collapsed ceiling due to the rain coming in also builds resilience.” – Roy Gavin

• “There are many many more applicants than jobs… some people never believe that until they have to try and find a basic job themselves.” – Maria Thomson

At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe there’s another way. We call it the Graduate GAME Plan.

The GAME Plan is built around four timeless principles:

• Goals – Define what truly matters to you.

• Actions – Take practical steps to move forward.

• Means – Identify and develop your resources, especially your human capital.

• Execution – Put your plan into motion with structure and accountability.

Instead of waiting endlessly for someone else to grant them permission, graduates can use the GAME Plan to take control of their lives. Our new Graduate GAME Plan Toolkit (available through our Planning My Life shop) provides exactly this:

• A Done-by-You GAME Plan Report Template to structure your journey.

• A Human Capital Edition Taster to build skills and resilience.

• The Goliathon Self-Directed Toolkit, a powerful Notion + AI framework designed to level the playing field—because applying for jobs in today’s market is a lot like seeking justice in a broken system: you need tools to fight back.

The Way Forward

• “There is so much talent amongst British graduates… If only we had a government like Singapore.” – Matthew Bond

• “Build your CV with volunteering roles, use those roles to network and build your confidence.” – Mrs Anders

• “Education makes people more adaptable to change. The labour market is going through rapid change.” – Stanley Jevons

This is not about “handouts.” It’s about empowerment. It’s about showing graduates that they have choices, resources, and strengths—even when the system tells them otherwise.

We’re piloting this initiative with just 50 digital toolkits (£9.95 each). If it succeeds, we’ll seek funding to roll it out nationally, ensuring every graduate has access to a roadmap for building a life of purpose, security, and dignity.

Because when the system shuts you out, you don’t have to wait. You can build your own way forward.

Link to Graduate GAME Plan Shop Item

Join the M-Power Movement

What’s in it for you?

• Empowerment: Learn how to manage your money and grow your wealth with confidence.

• Entrepreneurship: Discover tools and support to turn your ideas into thriving businesses.

• Community: Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations dedicated to financial freedom for all.

How to Get Started:

• Join Our Community: Access free resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.

• Book a Call: Speak with an expert to explore how we can support your journey to financial independence.

• Spread the Word: Help us build a global movement by sharing this vision with your network.

Together, we can redefine what financial planning means, transforming it from a service of dependency into a tool of empowerment. The M-Power Movement is not just about creating wealth; it’s about creating a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Are you ready to take control of your financial future?Join us today and be part of this transformative journey.

Visit www.PlanningMy.Life.