My Top Tips for Starting Apprenticeships! - Bethany Livermore

(4 min read) 

Hi everyone! I’m Bethany and I’m a Digital Marketing Apprentice at Mindshare Worldwide. I started my apprenticeship in August 2021 and I’m loving every day. 

I started my apprenticeship just after I finished my A-Levels in college, so starting a full-time job was a bit overwhelming to start off with and that’s totally normal to feel that way. I remember being so nervous on my first day but also very excited to kick start my career in a huge marketing agency in London. In this blog, I am highlighting some top tips that I wish I had known when I first started my apprenticeship. 

1. Write everything down:

Every day, I can guarantee you will learn something new, and this is why it is so beneficial to write it all down. Another colleague in my team recommended for me to buy a notebook in which I can write everything in on how to do certain tasks within my role and this has been an absolute lifesaver for me! I take this notebook with me when I head into the office and keep it with me when working from home, I always find myself flicking through to see how I approach different tasks during work. If you are working from home, you can always ask your team to record the call where they are taking you through different aspects of the role, and then you can always refer back to it when needed. Another tip is to take notes of how senior staff members work, you can learn so much just by observing colleagues, learn from the experts!

2. Go easy on yourself:

One of the main reasons apprentices get anxious about starting their apprenticeship is the thought of messing up or doing something wrong. This was one of my main worries when I first started but after a few months of working with your team and learning new things, you will get in the swing of things! It takes time and a lot of perseverance but keep going and you will get there. Your company will understand that you are an apprentice and are new to the ‘real world’ of work, my top tip is to take it slow to begin with and look forward to the next working day! Just remember that you won’t be new forever and it is totally normal to feel anxious, but it will pass. (New things always turn into familiar things!) 

3. Ask Questions:

This is my biggest top tip when starting an apprenticeship. Don’t expect to know everything in the first week of starting your new role, this is impossible. Your line manager will expect you to be unsure of different things, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. When I first started my role, I was worried in case I was asking too many questions. I spoke to my coach about this in my 1st 1-1 coaching session and she said to me that ‘managers would rather apprentices ask hundreds of questions than to get it wrong.’ This quote has stuck by my side every single day of my apprenticeship, and essentially it is all part of the learning process. Asking questions will help you understand the company and the systems a lot quicker, and you will show you have an interest in the business. Remember that your colleagues will be a great source of support!

4. Ask for feedback from your line manager and colleagues:

It is so important and valuable to receive feedback on how you are performing and what you can improve on in your role. Essentially, feedback provokes change and fuels potential growth, your line manager will generally be more than happy to tell you what you are doing well at and some areas of development to work on. It also shows you are eager to learn and develop your professional skills during work. I’d suggest asking your manager to add a 1-1 session every week in both of your calendars and this is a chance for you to ask lots of questions and to also receive feedback. One of the best things about doing an apprenticeship with Multiverse is that you get a coach who you can talk to at any time, and you can always ask them for feedback too! The benefit of progress reviews with Multiverse is that you can discuss any issues you have with both your manager and coach at the same time.

Lastly, enjoy the experience and absorb everything!

If you have any questions you’d like to ask, I am more than happy to answer them from my own experience. You can contact me either by the Multiverse Community Hub or use my LinkedIn.

#NAW2022 #BuildYourFuture