The Reality of My Apprenticeship Journey | By Amy Ruffhead
From working in a pet shop and completing my A-Levels last year, to securing an apprenticeship with one of the biggest TV companies in the UK... I am grateful to be writing what will hopefully be inspiring, engaging and conversation-starting articles for the community. Happy reading!
Like many, embarking on an apprenticeship journey after A-levels didn’t feel like my first choice. My time at college very much focused on universities, the UCAS process and the different degree courses that I could complete. It was only in February/March 2021, as the reality of my going to university was coming closer, I realised that I wanted to explore other options and that maybe university wasn’t for me. After researching apprenticeships, I decided to hold off on leaping into a 3-year degree.
Whilst exploring the different apprenticeship opportunities, I came across digital marketing apprenticeships and grew interested in aspects of the role. What helped me decide to apply for these roles was that I would be able to develop many transferable skills whilst still gaining a qualification. After many applications and interviews, I was excited to receive an apprenticeship offer from Channel 4.
The journey to get my apprenticeship was one that many can relate to in that university seemed like the ‘normal’, given route for me to take. I initially applied to university, receiving a lot of support and guidance with the UCAS process, however, when it came to the apprenticeship application it was harder to receive that extra support, particularly when it came to writing my CV, submitting application questions and writing my cover letter. I believe this is because there is a lack of understanding and knowledge from schools and colleges about the benefits of apprenticeships, and governing bodies like the Department of Education don’t offer the same training and resources as they do for individuals preparing for University applications. Meaning a lot of young people in that vital decision-making period aren’t being told of the different pathways available to them.
Another part of the University v Apprenticeship application process that had noticeable differences was the contrasting reactions from careers departments, friends and teachers. Again, this comes down to there being consequential knowledge gaps between these two pathways. All of my friends applied for and were planning on going to university, so for me completing an apprenticeship was ‘out of the norm’. Because I had applied and got into university a lot of the reactions were centred around ‘but you have a university place why would you want to do something different?’. Thankfully, my media teacher was very supportive, previously having worked in the media industry herself, and was a great source of knowledge and mentorship when it came to applications and interviews. However, that judgement from my peers made me doubt my decision, as it does to many other students in my position.
Fast forward to results day and the news was flooded with hundreds of students opening their A-Level results and reacting to whether they got into university or not. Receiving my results and confirmation of my place at university began to make me question which option to take, particularly as news channels weren’t spotlighting apprenticeships. Ultimately, the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship with Channel 4 and Multiverse was too great to miss out on. This decision was also charged by the fact that I would be able to gain on-hand experience within the media and TV industry whilst still training and gaining a qualification.
Fast forward again another year later as I come up to my EPA, I know that I made the right decision. Like many students in my position, it was difficult to go against what everyone else was doing.
Amy Ruffhead is a Digital Marketing apprentice at Multiverse and has been writing for the Apprentice Lens.