Student, photographer, tech enthusiast, and future barrister...

This is the page where I get to blow my own trumpet so to speak, currently I am 21 and I would like to think that so far I have lead a very interesting life, one not without its challenges, but an interesting one non-the-less. If you already know who I am, and what I am about, this page will be prove to be pointless; as no website can be a substitute for the 'full Jonathan Isaacs experience'! Yes it does look like a standard block of text, however I can assure you there is nothing standard about it.

I am going to work through my experiences in chronological order starting from my days in high-school, working up to the present day.

Ashville College was the high-school of choice for me, the main reason being that it had excellent support for those who had dyslexia. I can honestly say that the days of dyslexics being treated as 'stupid' or 'dumb' are over. Yes my grades were never the best, however to quote my headmaster Andrew Fleck "its the smart people who get the clever people to work for them" - words of wisdom that have never left my side.

School life was not always easy, in 2003 I was diagnosed with Crohns disease, a form of irritable bowl disease that affects the digestive system. Currently my heath has never been better, and is managed through weekly self injections of a drug called Adalimumab, however until my consultants had found the best treatment, some school was missed due to ill health. Ashville taught me to be me, they allowed me to explore my love of being a theatrical sound technician, and built up my confidence. In my last year of 6th form was made a prefect (or Red Tie as they were called). I left high school with a mixed bag of grades just like any other student; however unlike any other student I had the confidence and skill set to get me a place onto my chosen course of Business Management With Law at University of Salford.

The first year of University was an interesting one, as I began to find my feet. I got involved with the Students Union from day one, fighting against the changes that the University wanted to make that would be detrimental to students education. For my second and final years I was made Student Liaison Representative, co-ordinating a couple of hundred student reps across the school I was in. Whilst at University I also worked closely with Student Direct, the student newspaper. In the final year I took the role of 'photographic editor', taking pictures of sporting events, social events, and welcome events. The photography was of such a standard that the university itself purchased the rights to use the photographs for future promotional material.

As I write this, I leave the University of Salford with a 2:1 Honours degree in Business Management with Law (which I am very proud of), however the skills gained through being involved with the students union to manage a team of people and get results, and working for the student newspaper (and university) more experience for my photography put me head and shoulders amongst my competition.

STOP PRESS: I have been nominated for the National Union of Students, Course Representative Of The Year. Out of hundreds of people who had been put forward by their students union nationally, only three were nominated; one being me. The awards take place at Leeds University Union later this month. I will be sure to inform you as to the results.

My education is not over, as the title of this page will give away; it is my dream to become a barrister. I have therefore applied, been offered a place, and accepted onto the Manchester Metropolitan University Graduate Diploma In Law Course. I will of course continue with tradition and get involved with MMUnion with the strong possibility of me choosing to run for office depending on how things pan out.

So far I have touched on my academia, however I have also been employed as well as self employed. My first proper job was to work for Martin Port, founder and previous owner of Masternaut in 2008. I started off life as a researcher, however quickly moved on to working with the 'Hard Hat' team managing the roll out of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft GP across the business. After this was completed, I returned for summer after summer, working for Martin to help improve efficiencies within the business. Martin has since sold the Masternaut, however I still return for the summer to work, mainly to fund my tuition, but also to keep me busy during the long summer holiday.

In 2005 I started turning my photography hobby, into a photography business. Yes I was only 16 at the time, however I quickly progressed from taking pictures at young children's birthday parties, to teenagers parties, bar/batmitzvahs, graduation balls, as well as being commissioned to do work for commercial clients. My photography portfolio can be viewed by clicking here, photography is a great love of mine, since I am no good with a paint brush and paper, I find that this is the best way for me to express myself artistically. I do see myself doing more with my photography as I get older, as I enjoy taking the pictures, and my clients are very happy with the results; however as a long term career, possibly not, it will always be something on the side which is taken as serious as a full time job.

I think thats about it really, there is nothing more to really say. If I were to give any advice to those reading this, it would be this. You have a voice and an opinion for a reason. Its a dog eat dog world out there, and if you don't exercise your rights to speak up, someone else will for you - and you may not always agree with what they have to say. Provided you speak up in a polite manor and refuse to back down you are on to a winner. If you have a dream, the only way you are going to get it is by working for it, and from experience dreams that come true through work, are much more enjoyable than dreams that get handed to you on a plate.


Jonathan Isaacs