What happens when you realise your potential future career isn’t for you? That’s exactly the position I found myself in between the summer of Year 12 and 13. After completing a weeks’ work experience at an architectural firm, I came to the realisation that it wasn’t for me. That’s a difficult place to find yourself in, when you’ve picked your A-Level subjects around that career choice, and when you felt that was the right direction to go in. However, upon reflection after that week, I also realised that I’d picked A-Level subjects that I (mostly) didn’t enjoy, and I was not particularly doing well at either.

I thought something more business-related would be for me, so (as my school careers advisor recommended) I attended several university open days and applied to 5 business degrees. However, something didn’t feel right. I wasn’t sure if the university lifestyle would be for me and it was at this point that I decided to let my university place offers expire and pursue an apprenticeship. After lots of research and reviewing job search sites, I came across a HR Degree Apprenticeship with Siemens Mobility. Despite going to a secondary school in the town, I had no idea that Siemens Mobility (a rail traffic technology leader that helps transform the everyday for everyone) had a manufacturing facility in the town, employing 800+ people on that site alone. I applied and was invited to an interview, but unfortunately, I had holiday planned and I was unable to attend the in-person interview. Summer approached, and I still had nothing planned from September, so I was considering working my retail job full time until I found something.

I then received an email from the recruitment team, telling me that a new Learning & Development Degree Apprenticeship had been advertised, and asking me to come for an interview. Despite limited knowledge of what learning & development actually was, I jumped at the opportunity. I attended an in-person strengths-based interview, not focusing on experience, but on behaviours, and I felt the interview went really well, but I was unsure on how many others were interviewing so I waited to hear back. My interview was actually on A-Levels results day. I remember coming home from the interview, and opening my results, which I was massively disappointed with. At this point, I was feeling pretty lost with what my next options would be. Then a few hours later, my phone rang, and I was offered the degree apprenticeship position (which I immediately accepted)!

I started my Level 5 Learning & Development Degree Apprenticeship in September 2019 and spent the first weeks settling in with my colleagues and wider team, who were all massively helpful and took the time to show me the basics (including how to send professional emails and how to arrange meetings). I was also very lucky to be starting at the same time as an intern, so we helped each other navigate the first few weeks/months and became very good friends too! After a few months settling into the role, I visited my training provider for my induction day. I very quickly found out that I was by far the least experienced person within my apprenticeship cohort that was completing the Level 5 programme I was studying, with most already having extensive experience as trainers or training managers. Whilst this was quite scary, I took this opportunity to learn from the people around me, and I made connections with learners across a range of sectors and employers, which helped me gain an understanding of a range of different perspectives, something that was incredibly helpful.

I was initially working full-time in the office until March 2020, when the first lockdown happened, and all staff (where possible) were asked to work from home. It wasn’t until after I finished my apprenticeship, that the ‘new normal’ was fully adopted (hybrid working with 2/3 days in office) and a sense of normality was restored. Whilst working from home presented some challenges (particularly with expanding my network and seeking wider business understanding) it also taught me a lot about being resilient and still trying your best. During my apprenticeship, I worked on a number of projects, including the creation of a STEM & work experience strategy, leading on graduate/apprentice/intern inductions, conducting programme reviews and establishing a virtual work experience programme. This is why I believe apprenticeships are so powerful, not only do they provide academic learning and qualifications, but they also back it up with real experience that is largely transferable between different jobs.

Learning doesn’t stop once you finish your apprenticeship, and although I completed my programme in December 2021, by January 2023, I had enrolled myself (with the financial support of my employer) onto first year of a business management degree with the Open University. I really enjoyed the opportunity to continue my studies from my business A-Level, and my experience with the Open University was fantastic. The flexibility of learning meant I could fit it around my role, and through their range of shorter courses/certificates and their digital offering, I found their support invaluable. It also proves that an apprenticeship is a huge stepping stone to opening future doors of opportunity.

Just a few months into my business management qualification, my dream job within the organisation became available. I had always wanted to support apprentices and manage their programmes, and when my colleague left the business to join another company, I immediately jumped at the opportunity and applied for my role, which I was successful in doing. However, the reality is that my ‘interview’ for the job had already been done. By showing my commitment and dedication to my previous role (including extensive on-the-job learning), and by making my career aspirations clear to my manager, I was well positioned when the opportunity came up. The same applies to you, at the beginning of your career. Even if a door closes, an opportunity isn’t available or you end up doing something that isn’t what you want to be doing longer-term, by expressing your ambitions and desire, and proving you have the right behaviours (such as being eager to learn and being fully committed), opportunities will come your way.

I’ve now been an Entry Level Talent Programme Manager for nearly 3 years, and I love (almost) every minute. Being able to support apprentices at the beginning of their career is hugely rewarding (and also challenging at times). I also love my role because it allows me to shape our apprenticeship offering as an organisation and to continuously improve programmes so that they are market leading and training young people into the skills we need today and tomorrow. I’ve also recently started my Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship which has reminded me how amazing apprenticeships are and this also proves that just because you’ve done one apprenticeship, you can do another (either to reskill or upskill to a higher level).

This role has made me realise what I truly enjoy doing, and that is developing people, supporting the next generation and helping shape future careers. Whilst that couldn’t be further away from my architecture work experience week, it’s really important that you take opportunities that are presented to you, because finding out what you don’t enjoy doing is equally important as what you do enjoy doing. The phrase ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’ is sometimes perceived as being cliché and slightly cheesy, but there is some truth to it. If you find something that you are passionate about (and motivated by), you will find it much easier to put your full energy into.

Failure can be a scary thing, particularly when it comes to exam results, but the grade you receive does not define your entire career, and you can create opportunities for yourself to achieve even more than you ever expected was possible. The basis of this is showcasing a growth mindset, being open to try new things, staying curious and asking questions/learning from others!

I wish you lots of success in your future career!

David Oxenham

Apprentice Learner Support Supervisor at Siemens Mobility

You can find out more and connect with David on LinkedIn.