The journey to landing your first job or apprenticeship can sometimes feel like a battle. It’s not always clear where the path leads, but every journey, no matter how uncertain, starts with a single step, even when you have no idea if it’s the right one.

In this post, I’m sharing my personal journey of securing my apprenticeship, the challenges I faced along the way, and the small wins that helped me build resilience.

Whether you’re just starting out or still navigating your career path, I hope my story gives you some inspiration and advice to keep going :).

Discovering a Path I Didn’t Know Existed

Growing up, apprenticeships weren't something that was often talked about in schools. The conversation around careers and education seemed to revolve mainly around university and traditional degrees, while apprenticeships were almost treated as an afterthought. No one really explained what they were, what they could offer, or how valuable they could be. I didn’t hear enough about apprenticeships, and as a result, I didn’t consider them as an option for my future

Looking back, I can now see how valuable apprenticeships are. But when I first started, I had to learn everything about them on my own, including what they involved, the opportunities they presented, and how they could set me up for a successful career. That’s why, whenever I get the chance now, I talk about apprenticeships to anyone who doesn’t know what they are. As someone still navigating this space, I try my best to explain what apprenticeships offer because I believe they’re an amazing way to start your career.

After finishing school, I didn’t rush into anything. I took time out instead. At the time, it felt uncomfortable, like I was standing still while everyone else was moving forward.

But looking back, that space was exactly what I needed.

Life isn’t something you have to rush through. You don’t unlock things at specific ages like levels in a game. Some people figure things out early, others take longer, and both are completely fine.

Finding Your Own Path

During that time, I researched more into apprenticeships and what they offered and started learning how to code, an area I didn’t have time to explore seriously enough before. I wasn’t amazing at it (far from it), but I was curious and that curiosity pushed me to try new things, explore opportunities I wouldn’t have considered before and enjoy my own time. It was the first time I was truly choosing how to spend my time, instead of just going where I was expected to be.

I also met people along the way, some on similar paths, some further ahead and seeing where they are now is honestly inspiring.  It’s a great reminder to me that everyone starts somewhere, even if you don’t always see that part.

At some point, I wanted to experience real world in tech, so I cold emailed 30 companies that were local to me, introducing myself, asking for opportunities, or even just advice.

It felt uncomfortable, and a lot of the time, there was no reply, or it was a rejection.

Rejection, Self-Doubt, and Carrying On

Rejection is hard, there’s no way around it. It makes you question yourself, your abilities, your direction, whether you’re even good enough.

I had moments where I genuinely thought about giving up, but I moved on and carried on trying.

Until one person said yes.

I ended up creating an opportunity for myself through an email and stepping into an internship/placement role in a data analytics and AI company. For a month, I worked with amazing people and learned so much about both the business side of things and how tech actually is behind the scenes.

That experience changed something for me. It taught me how to keep showing up, even when I didn’t feel confident.

Because the truth is, self-doubt doesn’t just disappear. I still experience it now, but I’ve learned how to manage it better. I don’t let it stop me in the same way anymore.

I’ve been in my degree apprenticeship for around eight months now, and only recently have I actually stopped to reflect on how much I’ve learned.

Remembering the small wins, like understanding something that didn’t make sense before, finishing a project, sending an email that I was nervous about, having a conversation with someone in the industry, goes a long way.

I'm still grasping this concept; you’re not supposed to be good at something when you first start.

For a long time, that frustrated me. I wanted to get things right straight away. But growth doesn’t work like that.

You have to be willing to be bad at something first. To sit in that discomfort, make mistakes, and keep going anyway. (easier said than done)

Advice for Your Journey

Never Give Up: Small Wins Lead to Big Achievements

If you’re reading this and wondering how to navigate your own journey, here are some pieces of advice that helped me along the way:

1. Take the First Step, Even When You’re Not Sure,
2. The hardest part is getting started. Whether it’s learning a new skill, applying for an internship, or reaching out to someone in your field, just take the first step. It doesn’t need to be perfect. You’ll learn along the way.
3. Surround Yourself with Support,
4. People around you, friends, family, and mentors, can make a huge difference. Having support when things get tough can help you push through moments of doubt.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of the Path of Uncertainty,
6. Life isn’t always a straight line. If you’re unsure about your career path, that’s okay. Exploring uncertain paths is part of growing, and you’ll learn a lot along the way.
7. It’s Okay to Suck at Something at First,
8. You’re not supposed to be amazing right out of the gate. The more you practice and challenge yourself, the better you’ll get. Embrace the suck, because it’s the only way to improve.

Reflection: The Road Ahead

If you’re in the middle of your own journey, whether you’re still in school or struggling to land that first role, remember this: You’re not alone, and your effort will pay off. You never know where that first step might take you. So, take it anyway and be yourself because there is space for you, even if you don’t always see it straight away.

Aiza Zaman

Apprentice | Global Technology

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