Thinking about a tech or corporate apprenticeship but feeling underqualified or overwhelmed? I’ve been there. Here’s how I went from average grades and near expulsion to reaching the final stages at competitive firms, and how you can do it too.

Who I Am Today

I’m now a degree apprentice at a global consulting firm, working in tech whilst studying for my degree at the same time. Whether that be on cybersecurity teams or collaborating on cloud migration projects. I’ve had first-hand experience in life as an apprentice. I’ve started creating content to share my journey and break down what apprenticeships are really like. By reading this, my goal is to show why you should consider every option in front of you, not just the traditional university route, and to help you see that there isn’t only one path into a successful career in tech or business.

My Apprenticeship Journey

I’ve always loved computer science. I had above‑average GCSEs and knew I wanted to be where technology, business, and real‑world impact overlap. At A‑level, I took biology, maths, and economics. It sounded strong, but my grades were only average, and I often questioned whether I was good enough for competitive tech apprenticeships.

From Year 10, I worked part‑time in hospitality. At the time, it just felt like a weekend job, but it became one of the most important parts of my story. Hospitality taught me teamwork (you can’t run a busy shift alone), clear communication (especially when something goes wrong), and dedication (turning up on time, even when you’re exhausted). These are exactly the skills employers look for, even outside hospitality.

I pushed myself to get experience in different environments. Through a Lacoste mentorship, I learned about retail, customers, brand image, and how a business runs behind the scenes. An infosec work experience at KPMG introduced me to the corporate world, professional standards, commercial awareness, and what’s expected in high‑performing teams.

To stay connected to tech, I volunteered as a teaching assistant at a coding club and helped event tech teams. These weren’t just CV fillers; they proved I was serious about tech and willing to support others. Alongside school, I created my own opportunities through reselling and business‑related accreditations, showing initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Setbacks and Resilience

My journey nearly ended at the end of Year 12. My grades were so poor that I was almost kicked out of college. That was a brutal wake‑up call. It’s one thing to say “I want to work in tech” and another to see your grades not match your goals.

To turn it around, I had to work far harder. I was honest with myself about how little I’d been revising. I built a proper study routine, stopped leaving everything to the last minute, and forced myself to revisit topics I’d been avoiding. At the same time, I was juggling part‑time work, sixth form, apprenticeship applications, and my wellbeing. It often felt like time was running out.

Learning to prioritise was important. I used evenings or early mornings for applications and recognised when I needed rest to avoid burning out. Preparing tailored CVs along the way and practising psychometric tests daily. Sometimes, completing video interviews at midnight after late shifts. The hardest part wasn’t just the workload; it was the self‑doubt. It’s easy to believe everyone else has better grades or a better chance than you. I had to remind myself that my experiences, growth, and mindset mattered. You deserve to be in the rooms that you’ve worked so hard to be in.

If I had to choose one word for my apprenticeship journey, it would be resilience. I applied for roles I didn’t feel qualified for and expected rejection. Sometimes I got it. But I also started reaching the last stages for roles I’d once thought were out of my league. Every interview, group exercise, and assessment centre became proof that I was improving. Over time, those small wins built my confidence and helped me see rejection not as a personal failure, but as a redirection towards a better fit.

Practical Tips for Your Apprenticeship Applications

If you’re applying now, here’s what helped me most:

•      Quality over quantity

Don’t spray applications everywhere. Choose a handful of programmes you genuinely like, learn their business and values, and tailor every application. A focused, specific application stands out more than a generic one.

•      Know your industry

Whether it’s tech, consulting, or finance, learn the basics. Pick key topics like cybersecurity trends, AI in business, cloud, or digital transformation and research what different firms are doing. Be ready to talk about them in interviews and link them to your interests.

•      Small actions, every day

You don’t need to do everything in one go. Spend a little time daily on something apprenticeship‑related: practice tests, company research, or improving one answer. Like the gym, it’s consistency that builds results.

•      Treat interviews as conversations

Interviews are two‑way. Prepare questions about the team, culture, training, and progression. Be curious and ask follow‑ups. When you see it as a conversation, it’s easier to relax and show your real personality.​

•      Make psychometric tests feel natural

Practice numeracy, verbal, and logical reasoning tests until the formats feel familiar. Review your mistakes and work out whether timing, misreads, or specific question types are holding you back.

•      Remember: rejection is redirection

Everyone gets rejected. Sometimes it’s timing, competition, or just not the right fit. Use each “no” as feedback, refine your approach, and move on.

Why Considering All Your Options Matters

There isn’t one right path after school. University can be great, but apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, build experience from day one, and still gain qualifications, including degrees. Too many students only hear about one route and end up thinking anything else is a backup plan, when in reality, apprenticeships are a powerful first choice.

I was close to losing my place at college, yet I now work in a global consulting environment, getting real client exposure and a degree at the same time. If my journey proves anything, it’s that where you start doesn’t define where you can go, but you have to stay open‑minded, back yourself, and explore every option in front of you. Wishing you all the best !

Chidinma Iroegbu

Technology Degree Apprentice @ Accenture

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