After three or more years of study, students are released into the real world. Dan Rutstein takes a look at the post-university life of a selection of York graduates

Some people will never forget university; little things remind them of their happy times - trips to their old pubs, visits from old friends and photos on their walls. Every time Simon Keddie goes to the bank, he is reminded of his days of study.

Over a year since graduation, the Shropshire-born former Philosophy and Politics student has still over £13,000 worth of debt.

His dream has been to work in the music industry and after graduating he worked as manager of a shoe shop to stay in York and pursue his dream.

Personal problems forced him back to Shropshire temporarily but now he is back in York and working in the Mambo clothes store in Colliergate.

"I know I have a lot of debts," he said, "but I am going to give the band thing a chance until I'm 25.

"Then I will go for a real career."

In spite of his debts Simon is happy with his time at York University.

"It was a great place to go academically and the social life wasn't too bad.

"York has some great pubs. I am pretty happy here."

Other graduates were keen to leave York.

Gabriel Cohen, originally from London, received an enormous slice of luck in his search for a career.

Whilst working at an Italian restaurant to fill his time, he inadvertently dropped a few plates.

One customer pointed out to him that he wasn't the greatest waiter at which point Gabriel explained he was a graduate.

Ten minutes later the customer, an executive with a diamond firm, had an interview lined up.

Within months Gabriel began a training contract as a diamond valuer - anything's possible in London. But life isn't too bad up here either.

Chris Humphreys is not only a successful local businessman, but also a graduate.

After his sociology degree course finished in 1997, he carried on with a few temping jobs to keep the bank manager at bay.

A few months later, he bought the old York City Printers building in The Groves and set up a recording studio.

"I stayed here because there was a business opportunity and because I love York," he said.

The studio, named the Jam Factory, boasts three normal recording studios and a fully digital one. Chris numbers Shed Seven among his clients.

York City Council have bought recording time from him for local kids and he offers student bands a ten per cent discount to get them started.

"I can heartily recommend York to anyone," he added. "I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather live."

"I could think of the Bahamas - but it seems York is as good as anywhere in Britain."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.