For most of my life, I was told I had “so much potential”. I grew up in an all-girls grammar school where expectations were high, and success followed a very specific path. From the outside, it seemed like I had every opportunity, but in reality, I struggled to fit into a system that didn’t work for how I learned.

School was difficult for me from an early age. Sitting still, concentrating, and translating my thoughts into written work felt overwhelming. Even when I tried, my results were always average, making me feel behind in an environment where excellence was expected. My best always felt like everyone else’s worst.

Eventually, I stopped trying. I chose fun, adventure, and living in the moment over academics. At the time, it felt freeing, but it also meant I fell further behind. I knew I had potential, but I couldn’t access it in a system that didn’t work for me.

Later, I was told I was being assessed for ADHD and dyslexia. While my school was adamant on this, I was heavily reluctant and resisted the label, as at the time, it was less commonly known of and made me feel incapable. Over time, this diagnosis became a justification for my lack of self-growth in both the minds of myself and my teachers. Subconsciously, I let that label become an excuse not to try.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Everything changed during my GCSEs when my mental and physical health took a huge plummet. I ended up in the hospital, with no clear end in sight. It wasn’t just physical pain, it was emotional, too. I felt completely lost, isolated and was stuck in a dark place, struggling to stay hopeful.

Lying in that hospital bed awake through the night, left me no choice but to slow down and reflect, making me realise how much I wanted a different future. I wanted a life where I wasn’t just getting by but actually moving forward.

I sat my GCSEs from hospital, and when I left, my mindset had shifted. Challenges no longer felt like burdens, they felt like privileges that I got to experience. As long as I wasn’t back there, I knew I could cope with whatever came next.

Choosing an Apprenticeship Over the Traditional Route

After my GCSEs, I went into sixth form with renewed determination, but the same struggles followed. Ongoing health issues and the structure of classroom learning made it difficult to keep up. I eventually dropped one of my A-levels and realised university wasn’t the right next step for me. I needed a path where I could learn by doing and gain real experience.

Apprenticeships offered exactly that. I applied for roles away from home to start fresh, somewhere I wasn’t defined by my past. After months of applications and interviews, I landed an apprenticeship at AQA in Azure Cloud. IT wasn’t something I felt confident in, but I chose this opportunity because it allowed me to rebuild my life on my own terms.

Starting Again

Accepting the apprenticeship meant moving out alone at 18 to a completely unfamiliar place. I didn’t know anyone nearby and felt isolated, without the comfort of familiar surroundings. At first, it was intimidating and lonely. Everything felt new — my job, my home, my routine.

But slowly, that independence became invaluable. Learning to manage my responsibilities and build a life from scratch gave me confidence I’d never had before.

The Reality of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships aren’t easy. Alongside the demands of my apprenticeship, I worked a second job to pay my bills. Balancing full-time work, learning, and a job was exhausting both mentally and physically. Additionally, my ongoing health issues meant frequent hospital appointments and long-distance travel for tests.

There were days when just getting through the day felt like an achievement. But those challenges taught me resilience. I learned how to manage my time, ask for support, and keep showing up even when things were hard.

Making the Most of the Opportunity

Whenever I had the chance, I pushed myself further. I got involved in the apprentice community, volunteered at schools, shadowed senior colleagues, joined mentoring schemes, and participated in leadership groups. I was given opportunities to manage projects, speak at events, and see my ideas come to life.

Going beyond my job description helped me build confidence and discover skills I never knew I had. It proved that apprenticeships aren’t just about the role you start in; they’re about the person you become along the way.

What I’ve Learned

I can confidently say that working in tech isn’t something I plan to pursue long-term, but this apprenticeship taught me invaluable lessons. I learned what I’m good at, what I enjoy, and what environment helps me thrive. I gained professional skills, life experience, and a belief in myself I never had before.

Everything I Did to Stand Out

Build Skills Outside Your Job Role

Keep learning and show initiative. Great places for free or low-cost certifications:

• Microsoft Learn – Tech skills (Azure, Office 365)
• Google Digital Garage – Digital marketing, business
• LinkedIn Learning – Soft skills, productivity. One course shows you're committed and can set you apart.

Join Apprentice & Ambassador Networks

Get involved to build your network and credibility:

• Association of Apprentices (AoA)
• Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN)
• Local apprentice groups on LinkedIn or Facebook

These networks provide opportunities to mentor, speak at events, and connect with other apprentices.

Volunteer for Experience

Even small volunteer roles can boost your CV:

• Speak at schools or careers fairs
• Mentor younger apprentices
• Offer skills to local non-profits

Say Yes to New Opportunities

Push yourself by volunteering for new projects:

• Shadow senior colleagues
• Help on a small internal project
• Attend open days and employer skill workshops Saying yes shows initiative and can open doors.

Email People for Opportunities

Reach out to build relationships:

• Contact senior colleagues for advice or shadowing
• Ask to learn more about roles in other departments Being proactive shows leadership and ambition.

Attend Networking & Industry Events

Networking is key:

• Careers fairs, open days, and industry events
• Check platforms like Eventbrite or UCAS for opportunities

These events help you ask questions, learn, and meet new people.

 By taking these steps, you'll stand out, build your network whilst gaining real experience, right from the beginning.

Final Advice for Anyone Considering an Apprenticeship

If you’re thinking about an apprenticeship, especially if things haven’t gone smoothly for you, the most important things to remember is:

• Apprenticeships can still be hard, even when they’re the right choice.
• It’s okay to struggle while you’re learning.
• Independence is scary at first, but it builds confidence faster than comfort ever could.
• You don’t need to love your role to learn from it.
• Resilience is built by continuing, not by being perfect.

Choosing an apprenticeship meant starting again, in a new place, on my own, with real responsibility. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me direction, and belief in myself. And

for me, that made all the difference, because after many setbacks, I can finally see my future coming together.

Education may be what gets your foot in the door, but experience is what opens it.

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