From being a student in my sixth form to becoming a member of staff and now having my former teachers as colleagues.

I know how that sounds. For some people, it might feel intimidating. Maybe even a bit strange. You might be thinking, “That would be awkward,” or imagining that teachers just teach, go home and don’t really have much of a social life.

(Trust me, I used to think that too.)

But my journey has shown me something completely different.

Let me tell you about it from the very beginning. One random college day, I received an email from a member of staff about an apprenticeship opportunity. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I had applied to university, received all my offers and got accepted to all.

However, something inside me told me to challenge myself and just apply for this apprenticeship. This is the age where we need to say yes to new opportunities rather than being afraid to step outside our comfort zone. So, I decided to go for it. I prepared a strong CV and wrote a cover letter then sent everything off without overthinking it.

Not long after, I received an email saying I had been shortlisted for an interview and a presentation. At that moment, I realised I didn’t even want to go to university anymore, I really wanted this apprenticeship. I was determined to give it my all.

I prepared my presentation, stayed true to myself and made sure I came across as confident. As part of the interview process, I was also asked to complete a telephone role-play to test my communication skills. I had never done anything like that before and was honestly terrified I would fail.

After the interview, I went home feeling extremely nervous. I was told I would receive the results that afternoon, so I tried to distract myself and even took a nap. When I woke up, I saw that I had missed a call. It was from the same member of staff who had sent me the original email- who is now my manager. He had rung to tell me that I had got the position.

I was absolutely over the moon.

I’m now a Business Administration apprentice at my old sixth form. And yes, just like the title says, I now see my former teachers every day but the relationship has changed. It’s no longer teacher and student; it’s staff working alongside staff.

Of course, there are some perks- like access to the “secret” places such as the staff room and staff kitchen! But honestly, that’s not the coolest part of my job.

The best part is being treated as a professional among professionals.

Every single day, I learn something new from the people around me. A sixth form isn’t just classrooms and lessons- it’s a whole organisation made up of different departments working together, including HR, Marketing, Student Services and more. I work in the Futures department, which focuses on supporting students with their next steps.

I’ve mentioned that I’m a Business Administration apprentice but what does that actually mean?

Business Administration covers a wide range of roles and mine is as a Work Experience Organiser. My role involves building strong connections with employers across Oldham and Greater Manchester, where we’re based. I do this by attending community networking events, speaking in public and taking part in professional and social events.

I then use these connections to create real opportunities for students. This includes arranging employer talks, organising work placements, T Levels, setting up industry visits and more. Seeing students gain experience and confidence about their futures is incredibly rewarding and it reminds me why this role matters so much.

Over the years, I’ve built meaningful relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds from nurses and gym owners to digital business owners. Being exposed to so many different career paths has opened my eyes to just how many opportunities are out there for people like you and me.

Which brings me to my advice for anyone aiming to be more professional and hopefully secure an apprenticeship or a good job.

1. Trust yourself!

In my opinion, trusting yourself is one of the most important things when it comes to achieving your goals. You might feel nervous at first, especially when the people around you are older or more experienced but remember this: you are there for a reason. Your ideas matter and the right people will listen.

2. Learn from those around you

"Having colleagues who know more than you isn’t a threat, it’s a blessing." I recently saw this quote on LinkedIn and it’s something I truly live by. Try to go to bed each day having learned something new from someone.

3. Plan ahead and stay organised

Planning your weeks properly doesn’t just help with meeting deadlines it also helps protect your mental health. Look ahead at the month and think about what you need to prepare. For example, I’ll check December early to plan around the Christmas break, knowing that many employers will be off during that period. Thinking ahead like this makes your journey smoother and far less stressful.

Trusting yourself, learning from others and planning ahead has made all the difference in my journey. And it can make a difference in yours too.

Thank you for taking the time to read a mini summary of my journey. If you’d like to follow along and get weekly updates, you can find me on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/meherun-ali-8682132a2 ✨

Meherun Ali Akhter | Work Experience Administrator @ Oldham Sixth Form College.