Medicine is a bit of a unique case in the UK. Otherwise I would absolutely think that the best jobs would go to those who start work early. Certainly bears out

Medicine is a bit of a unique case in the UK. Otherwise I would absolutely think that the best jobs would go to those who start work early. Certainly bears out my experience. I know plenty of graduates who didn't really think about careers until leaving and suddenly found themselves at a disadvantage. Computer Science and tech are unique in that programming talent can be gauged to some extent and companies actually are interested in doing so. Consulting, accountancy, banking, law, etcetera all seem, superficially, to be based a lot more on the ability to put up with long hours and some sort of prestige test. If anything tech workers have it easier in my view. You don't just go and interview and get a job working in biology regardless of how special you are. (OK; I suppose if you had a cure for a cancer that may not hold).