I started out doing an arts degree at a university outside of Sydney (low entrance mark requirements - my ATAR was actually terrible and I got in through a very high STAT score and waiting 12 months to go to uni - I'm not sure that this is still an available pathway) did my electives in Commerce, kept a Credit average throughout the course, managed Distinctions or above in the Commerce related subjects (I did drop out of my second semester of first year as I wasn't really convinced uni was for me). Transferred into BComm/BArts, got a job as an undergraduate insolvency accountant where I got work experience whilst completing my degree. Took a graduate position with the same firm and had them pay for a post grad certificate in insolvency law. Was made redundant at the same firm (massive downturn in the industry around this time). Took the first offer I received (because money), which meant moving to Sydney (probably should have been a bit more patient and shopped around for a better fit) left that firm for another one after 12 months - wasn't loving the nature of the work overall around this time. Insolvency can be a pretty negative industry at times and whilst all my bosses were rich, I wasn't exactly looking at any of them thinking that I wanted their lives when I was older. Predominantly divorced, borderline alcoholic white guys.
Looked around at my network of connections from uni, CA and just general social contacts and mentioned I was looking to exit to something different, had a friend working for a global FMCG company at the time who gave me a recommendation for an opening in commercial finance, smashed the interviews for that and then worked there for around 2 years - FP&A and budgeting for some global divisions, some commercial finance work for the domestic Australian market and a couple of other things whilst I was there. My immediate manager left to become head of commercial finance for another company, I completely hated the new manager. Applied for an internal move within the company I was with to transfer into the revenue & pricing team, got blocked by new manager saying it would be too much of a resource drain for her team. Decided to look elsewhere, was recommended for a role at Deloitte by a professional connection and also simultaneously applied to a few revenue and pricing roles with leading companies in the commodities/fuels space.
I ended up with offers from Deloitte (manager level), a large utilities company and a Fuels & Infrastructure business, took the job in Fuels and Infrastructure and now manage pricing for half of the Australian market for that same company.
Tl;dr - I had a pretty terrible time at school, both academically and socially, I now have multiple degrees, two houses and comfortably earn a six figure salary. People who meet me today would probably struggle to believe I did so poorly in my HSC.
It would have been easier/faster if I got a few things right the first time along the way but I'm proof that a setback in what feels like the most important thing in your life when you are 17/18, doesn't have to be an indicator of future success.