Tennis was my world for as long as I can remember. I picked up a racket when I was just three years old, and from that moment, it wasn’t just a hobby… it was who I was. It became my routine, my identity, and honestly, my safe place. I trained three times a week, competed in international tournaments, and it genuinely felt like I was born for it.

Every time I stepped onto the court, nothing else mattered. Not school, not stress, not anything going on in life. It was just me, my racket, the ball, and my opponent. Tennis gave me purpose, discipline, and confidence. For years, I believed it was my ticket to the future I had already pictured.

For the longest time, I thought I knew exactly where life was headed. I was convinced I’d go to an American university, play Division 1 tennis, and study psychology. In my head, it was all mapped out, and I believed that if I worked hard enough, everything would go to plan.

But life doesn’t always stick to the plan you make.

When Everything Shifted

Before I even knew what an apprenticeship was, my life changed in a way I never expected. In 2019, when I was just 13, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was one of the hardest moments our family had ever faced, and it completely changed the way I saw everything.

That experience brought us so close. She became more than just my mum; she became my best friend, the person I relied on most, and the person I couldn’t imagine being far from. It also made me realise how fragile life is. Time suddenly felt precious, and I stopped taking the important people in my life for granted.

Later, when my parents separated, it took another toll on me mentally. Tennis had always been my outlet, but I wasn’t playing as much anymore. Without realising, I started drifting from both tennis and school.

By the time sixth form came around and I was thinking about university, I knew my priorities had changed. The idea of moving to America didn’t feel exciting anymore; it felt impossible. I didn’t want to leave my mum behind, and I didn’t want to be far away from home.

Struggling with Studies and Self-Doubt

When I decided to stay in the UK and apply to universities here, I didn’t expect to struggle as much as I did. Sixth form was harder than anything I’d dealt with before. I chose Business, PE, and Psychology for A-levels, and quickly realised I was in over my head.

I have ADHD, and Psychology was especially tough. It was content-heavy, and I just couldn’t connect with it. When you don’t enjoy something, it’s so much harder to stay focused, and it became more than just a subject; it felt like a mental battle while I was already dealing with so much emotionally.

I’m also a perfectionist, which made it worse. I spent too long making notes look “perfect” instead of working efficiently, and I constantly fell behind. My grades looked okay on the outside, so people assumed I was fine, but inside, I felt burnt out, overwhelmed, and unsure of what I was doing.

Eventually, I dropped Psychology, which meant I only had two A-levels. That was terrifying. Most universities want three, and I remember thinking I’d ruined everything. My confidence dropped, and I felt like I was falling behind everyone else.

Discovering Marketing

But during what was probably my lowest point, something unexpected happened. In one of my business lessons, we started learning about marketing, and suddenly it just clicked.

I didn’t just like it, I loved it.

It felt completely different to everything else. Marketing was creative, fast-paced, and always changing. When we started learning about digital marketing, it made me even more excited because it felt modern and like there was always something new to explore.

For the first time in a long time, I felt motivated again. It felt like I’d found something that actually suited the way my brain works, and I realised I didn’t need to force myself down a path that didn’t fit me.

Taking My First Steps

Once I knew I wanted to explore marketing, I started researching career options, and that’s when I discovered apprenticeships. I hadn’t really considered them before, but the idea of learning while working made so much sense. It felt practical, realistic, and less overwhelming than jumping straight into university when I already felt unsure.

The only problem was that I found out about apprenticeships quite late, and most applications had already closed. That feeling of being behind came back, but this time I didn’t let it stop me. Instead, I started doing online marketing courses and reaching out to companies for work experience.

One of the best opportunities I landed was with WSP Solicitors, where I joined their marketing team for work experience. I created social media content, used Canva and Adobe, uploaded blogs to WordPress, and even got to use a CRM system. It was all new, but I genuinely loved it.

The best part was being told I seemed like a natural-born marketer. That gave me such a confidence boost at a time when I really needed it. It made me feel like maybe I wasn’t “behind”, I was just finding my thing.

Interviews and Preparation

After getting real experience, I applied for apprenticeships in my hometown. I managed to get a couple of interviews, and they were nerve-wracking, but exciting too.

One thing I learned quickly is that experience matters. Interviewers always asked what I’d done already, and having something to talk about made such a difference. That’s why I always recommend doing a short course or trying to get any work experience you can, even if it’s small.

I also prepared a lot. I researched each company, looked into their values, and tailored my answers so they weren’t generic. It helped me feel more confident and showed that I genuinely cared.

Landing at Albright IP

Eventually, I found a marketing apprenticeship role at Albright IP, based in my hometown. It just felt right. I’d be doing a job I enjoyed, staying close to my family, and building a career without having to move away.

After a few interviews, I was offered the role. I still remember how relieved and excited I felt. A year later, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

From Assistant to Executive

Now I’m close to finishing my apprenticeship, and I’ve already been promoted from Marketing Assistant to Marketing Executive.

It was completely unexpected. I haven’t even finished the course yet, but I have been trusted with more responsibility and bigger projects. For the first time in years, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

That recognition meant everything to me. It reminded me that all the stress and uncertainty had actually been leading somewhere.

Real Projects, Real Growth

No two days at Albright IP are the same, and that’s one of the reasons I love my job. One day I’m planning content, the next I’m analysing performance or working on a campaign. It keeps me on my toes in the best way.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is the vital role I played in successfully launching our podcast, Figure 1: an IP conversation. It pushed me far out of my comfort zone. I had to learn new platforms and new skills I’d never used before.

It was challenging, but it taught me so much, and it made me realise how far I’d come.

To Anyone Who Feels Lost

The hardest part of my journey wasn’t learning the skills; it was finding the right path in the first place. I remember feeling like I was falling behind. My friends had started university or apprenticeships, and I was still working at JD Sports, unsure of what I was doing with my life.

If you’re in that place right now, please know you’re not alone. Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re failing; it just means you haven’t found what fits you yet.

Everyone moves at their own pace, and there’s no deadline on figuring life out. If you’re thinking about an apprenticeship, my biggest advice is this: stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s. Focus on what excites you, apply early, and get experience where you can, even if it feels small. It all adds up.

And most importantly, don’t let one setback convince you that your future is over. Sometimes the path that feels like a detour ends up being the one that was meant for you all along.

Alisha Tejrar

Marketing Executive at Albright IP Limited

You can find out more and connect with Alisha on LinkedIn