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(Photograph) - Abi Duncan O'Meara, above, is 20. She works full-time as a secretary and business researcher for Hogg Robinson Skillbase. She is also enrolled on a part-time management degree at Birkbeck College, London.

'I came to London at 16. I was not living with my parents and I realised quite quickly that the cost of living in London is high. I wanted to remain independent. By working full-time and studying part-time, I could avoid getting into debt. My studies are relevant to my job. In order to progress, I need to get a degree. I want to get into a management position, and I hope to get on to a graduate training programme, perhaps even before I complete my degree. Then I need to do an MBA or some other postgraduate qualification to get ahead.'