My degree had already provided me with basic marketing skills but not at the level required for many jobs, and I knew that studying for a Master’s degree wasn’t something I wanted to do. Therefore, I decided that an apprenticeship would be the perfect way for me to gain the necessary skills and experience needed to succeed in the future.

I started my apprenticeship in July 2022, and it has been an exciting journey getting to learn new skills and work as part of a supportive and experienced team. My apprenticeship allows me to work in a paid role with benefits such as holiday leave whilst receiving high-quality training from subject matter experts. Once I have finished my apprenticeship, I will not only have a marketing qualification, but I will also have invaluable experience within a marketing role, which will help me to progress in my career.

When I initially decided to do an apprenticeship, I wasn’t sure where to start. I already knew that I wanted to do a marketing apprenticeship, but I wasn’t sure what level would best suit me, so my first step was to carry out some research on the different levels of apprenticeships and what they were equivalent to. I decided that as I already had some level of marketing knowledge and a degree, a level 4 apprenticeship would be a good fit for me.

Once I had decided what type of apprenticeship I wanted to do, I could then look for an employer with whom I would complete my training with. I did this by searching for apprenticeship job opportunities near me and researching apprenticeship schemes with companies I was interested in working for. I found the National Apprenticeship Service to be a good start as I was able to search for jobs and training providers in my region and filter my search to the programmes I was interested in. I also used several different job search tools, such as LinkedIn and Indeed to find the right employer for my needs. During my search, I considered the following:

• How will my training by delivered?
• How will my employer support me with my training?
• Does the company have a good track record of successfully training apprentices?
• Will I be able to progress onto further training and full-time employment?

These were all important things for me to consider and ask potential employers to help me find the right fit and make sure that the apprenticeship I was applying for would give me the opportunity to learn and progress into a marketing career.

I enjoy my apprenticeship because it has allowed me to work across a variety of different projects with various teams in the company; this, enabled me to pick up new skills and experiences and meet and learn from new people. I have been lucky to work for a supportive company that is invested in my learning and provides me with help whenever I need it.

I think some people see apprenticeships as the “easier option”, but like with any job or degree, there are challenges. I have found that working full-time and studying can be difficult at times, and it takes a lot of hard work, organisation and self-discipline. For me though, the qualification and hands-on experience I will gain once I have completed my apprenticeship definitely make the challenges worthwhile.

Some of the main points I would recommend anyone looking for an apprenticeship consider are:

How will your apprenticeship fit into your career goals?

Do some research on the career progression routes for the courses you’re interested in and research case studies to get more of an idea of where you could be in the future. Apprenticeships are a big commitment, so you need to be sure that you’re choosing the right one for you.

Is the role right for you?

There are so many apprenticeship roles available, so you should think carefully about what you enjoy and what your passions are. If you enjoy your apprenticeship, you are more likely to do well in it! When searching for apprenticeships, look closely at the job descriptions and think about whether you can see yourself doing that and whether you would enjoy it.

Is the company right for you?

You need to make sure that the company you will be working for will be able to meet your needs, for example, whether it is a big or small company, how the company will deliver your training and other important aspects such as commute or salary.

In order to improve the uptake of apprenticeships in the UK, I feel that there needs to be more coverage of all the types of apprenticeships out there. I think a lot of people are under the impression that apprenticeships are only for trade workers when in reality there are so many different programmes available, from floristry to healthcare. I also think there is a need for more apprenticeship events in schools and colleges to give young people access to information and show that university isn’t the only option post-18.

Getting an apprenticeship is one of the best decisions I have made, in the 6 months I have been working as an apprentice I have already gained so much hands-on experience which I would not have had the opportunity to get elsewhere. I would definitely encourage more young people to look into the benefits of apprenticeships and how they can start the foundation for a successful and rewarding career.