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Inspiration

From rejecting a football offer at Watford to working at the world's largest asset manager at 18!

Imagine dedicating 12 years of your life to a passion. Waking up everyday looking forward to the next, and maybe even finding your sense of self within the process. Well, for me that was lost when i made the decision to decline the opportunity to join a professional football team the year of my GCSEs. My name is Tia Melika El-Ahmadi, a 1st year apprentice at the world’s largest asset manager. You’

January 6, 2025 Read more

Rejecting the self fulfilling prophecy: My journey to a legal apprenticeship

The plague of imposter syndrome Diving into education and study full time straight from sixth form college can be daunting. For me, an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome settled in and I truly began to doubt every move I made. It took me a while to realise that the reason I was here wasn’t because of a stroke of luck or to tick a diversity check list but because I had worked hard, and I was j

January 2, 2025 Read more

From Autism Influencer to HSBC's Next Global Private Banking Degree Apprentice!

Hello, my name is Arber Ismaili and I am currently 20 years old in the last year of my BTEC studies, and I want to tell you guys the story of how I was a shy individual to now a confident and articulate individual who has managed to secure a degree apprenticeship offer from HSBC. Growing up, I was always quite shy most of my life and as being autistic it was much harder to try and learn how to mak

December 25, 2024 Read more

Not Having Direction Was One of the Best Things That Ever Happened to Me

I remember how it felt not knowing where my life was heading. At first it was really scary and I honestly found it easier not to think about it. As time went on though I wanted to try something different and decided it was better to go all in on something I wasn’t 100% sure of than stay in a state of limbo. This is the story of how I went from no clue to working for one of the biggest tech compani

December 18, 2024 Read more

Building Networks and Strength: Andrew Johnson's Dual Journey

Hi, I’m Andrew Johnson, a recent graduate from BT’s Degree Apprenticeship scheme, where I specialised as a DevOps Engineer at Adastral Park. My journey wasn’t a straight path, but it was one filled with invaluable lessons, resilience, and growth—a story I hope will inspire you if you’re just starting out. The Journey Begins: From Uncertainty to Discovery After Sixth Form, I had no clear direction.

December 11, 2024 Read more

From the classroom to Cadburys: My journey to a degree apprenticeship while navigating mental health challenges

Life is like a Box of Chocolates Have you ever found yourself stuck in the confectionery aisle, overwhelmed by the endless choices? The familiar hues of purples and blues seem to call you towards your usual favourite. You’re almost set to grab it, that dependable sweet fix, when something unusual catches your attention. At the corner of your eye, there’s a chocolate bar you don’t quite recognise,

November 26, 2024 Read more

30 Setbacks, One Breakthrough: My Apprenticeship Story

When it came time to pick post-A-Level options, choosing an apprenticeship felt like finally finding the missing puzzle piece to my career journey—a mix of excitement and clarity wrapped in a big, satisfying "aha!" moment. University had always been in the cards, but it wasn’t the right fit after I got a peek into the university life I’d imagined by attending a shadowing program at Cambridge. Spoi

November 20, 2024 Read more

My Unconventional Journey to a Finance Apprenticeship: From Overseas Student to Warner Bros

Starting fresh in a new country is never easy, especially when you’re on your own. Moving from overseas to the UK to complete my A-levels brought its own set of challenges. The culture, learning styles, and overall community were different, and it took me some time to find my footing. But looking back, I realize that adapting to these changes taught me essential skills that I would use in the next

November 14, 2024 Read more

From T-Levels to Degree Apprenticeship in AI at IBM

Taking that first step into the world of work or an apprenticeship can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where you’re heading or even if you’re capable. That was me a few years ago, full of potential but not yet knowing what path to take. I found my way through a T Level qualification in Digital Production, Design, and Development, a qualification that would not only shape my career

November 8, 2024 Read more

From T Level Student to Working for the World’s Biggest Tech Company

When I was in school in London, the path ahead wasn’t always clear. At 16, I knew I wanted to pursue something more practical than A-Levels, something that would allow me to get hands-on experience in an industry, while still keeping my options open for further education. That’s when I discovered T Levels, a relatively new qualification designed to bridge the gap between school and the world of wo

October 29, 2024 Read more

Configuring a New Path: My Transition Into Tech

Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute and just sit right here, I'll tell you how I got nominated for Apprentice of the Year. In my home of Northamptonshire, born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. Chilling out, maxing, relaxing, all cool and all, shooting some b-ball outside of school… …I wish there was

October 20, 2024 Read more

Breaking the Mould: Crafting a Future Beyond Expectations

There is no denying that thinking about the future is daunting, from deciding your path to wondering if it is the right one for you. It is scary, so I hope my blog provides you with a sense of comfort, but also inspiration to help you make the right decisions for yourself with confidence. Starting Out: Figuring Out What You Want Let’s start from the beginning. At school, I was achieving great grad

October 16, 2024 Read more

Destination: Award-Winning IBM Consultant > From School Dropout

I still remember lunch breaks, staring out of the window, watching the train to London speed by. The reminder of life: swift, certain, and going places. At just 17, I felt everything so intensely. Growing up, I have always been the type to plan every second; I could even tell you the exact university course code for my dream of becoming a pharmacist. The "traditional" path was laid out clearly in

October 9, 2024 Read more

Troublemaking to Trailblazing: My journey into Leadership Development

As I reflect on my journey as a global leadership trainer and public speaker, I see two key qualities that have shaped who I am: a deep-seated confidence and a willingness to ask tough questions. These traits have sometimes been viewed as cocky or disruptive, but they’ve played a fundamental role in my growth. I want to share my story with you—especially if you’re still navigating school, college,

September 30, 2024 Read more

From Dental School Drop-Out to a Digital Master’s Apprenticeship: My Journey of Self-discovery

As an 18-year-old, deciding what career path you want to take for the rest of your life is incredibly daunting. You have just finished education and have barely experienced life yet. My journey to a Master’s apprenticeship was unconventional to say the least. I went through many hurdles before landing where I am today. Navigating the hardships of University Throughout sixth form, I was stuck for c

September 25, 2024 Read more