When the plan goes wrong…

When I started sixth form, I already had a clear plan for my career – study A-Level German, PE and Geology (random I know!), take a gap year working to save up for uni, study German and Spanish at uni, become a translator.

Sorted right? Wrong!

Made it to university but only lasted 3 months – woops! Turns out, I enjoyed working at Pizza Hut more than I did doing my university course. I didn’t want to wait to feel like I’d achieved something – I wanted to make a difference now. It made me question – ‘Did I really want to study languages, or was I just doing it because I was told I was good at it?’

So, I decided to leave university and move back home. Only problem was, I didn’t really have a back-up plan.

The ‘uh oh, what do I do now?’ phase

Honestly, moving back home was hard. I felt a bit like a failure. Every time I bumped into someone I knew, they asked me how university was and I had to explain that I’d ‘dropped out’ (I really hate that phrase). Then you get asked why and for some reason the explanation that you just didn’t really enjoy it never seems good enough.

And then there’s the realisation that you have no idea what you’re going to do next because your Plan A didn’t stick and there was no Plan B. You take any job you can get just to make money and pass the time – I got a random job as a sales assistant, helping to sell and package car gaskets.

But the job wasn’t challenging enough – I felt like my brain was going numb. That’s when I started searching for more long-term solutions. I wanted something that was new, where I could learn and work at the same time.

I contacted my local council to see if there were any upcoming job or work experience opportunities. And that’s when I found my first apprenticeship.

My first apprenticeship

My local council (Braintree District Council) was recruiting for a Level 3 Data Analyst Apprentice and this really caught my eye. I had never been interested in IT, computer science, or maths, but when I read the job description I realised data analytics is so much more than this. It’s about critical thinking, problem solving, attention to detail, curiosity, interpretation, communication and so much more!

I reflected on what I had done in the past – GCSEs, A-Levels, uni, part-time jobs – and I realised that I loved when I had to think critically. I loved being curious and asking questions. I loved interpreting information and using it to make decisions. I loved looking for patterns and themes.

So, I submitted my CV, had an interview, and… got the job!

I spent the next year at Braintree District Council completing my Level 3 Data Analyst Apprenticeship. I worked across the Housing and Communities Service, analysing, visualising, and presenting trends from internal and external data sources. My work supported managers to make evidence-based decisions, improve services for residents, and track performance against KPIs.

Through my apprenticeship learning, I learnt how to use digital tools for analysis – such as Excel and Power BI – and how to adapt my data visualisation and communication depending on the audience and purpose.

I loved the fact that I could gain work experience and a qualification at the same time whilst earning money. I enjoyed being thrown in the deep end and getting involved in work tasks right from the start. I wasn’t expected to succeed at the first instance – I was just expected to try and then learn from my mistakes. That’s the beauty of an apprenticeship!

Also, I felt that I could retain everything I’d learnt from my course so much easier because I had no choice but to implement it in my work the next day. It made learning fun – I didn’t have to wait to apply it in practice.

I loved my first apprenticeship experience so much, that I am now completing my second apprenticeship!

Apprenticeship No. 2

I’m still at Braintree District Council, working in the same team, but am now doing a Level 6 Social Researcher Apprenticeship. My focus is more on qualitative and quantitative data collection, using social research methods to highlight and learn from residents’ lived experiences.

I love speaking to people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, and giving them the opportunity to shape services and community interventions in the Braintree District.

Now I truly feel like I am making a difference!

Also, there’s so many trade-offs and decisions I have to make about research methods. My brain is constantly occupied with weighing up the pros and cons of different approaches. I’ve learnt that it’s about choosing the method you feel is most appropriate for the context of the research – the questions you are trying to answer, the people you are going to be working with, and the time and resources you have.

Sometimes my job is complicated and messy, and sometimes there is no ‘right’ answer – but sometimes that’s just life!

Becoming an Apprenticeship Ambassador

Apprenticeships have genuinely changed my life.

My plan didn’t stick, but I’m glad – having no plan opened my eyes to other opportunities that I never would have considered. I honestly think that the route I took as a ‘back-up’ was actually better than my initial plan in the first place.

This is why I volunteer as an Apprenticeship Ambassador for the East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN). I go to mock interview events and careers fairs in secondary schools, encouraging students to consider apprenticeships and breaking down the stigmas about them – no, they are not just for ‘manual labour’ jobs!

Apprenticeships are everywhere and there are so many out there.

If you haven’t yet considered doing an apprenticeship, consider it! And keep considering it throughout your career, not just at the start.

Tips for a ‘wannabe’ apprentice

Know yourself – What do you enjoy? What skills and experience do you have? And don’t say ‘none’ because everyone has skills and experience! Ask your friends, family or teachers if you’re really stuck.

Read the job description – This will help you identify whether the apprenticeship is really right for you. Does it make you feel excited? Can you see yourself doing it? Tailor your CV and application to the job description. Use evidence from your previous experiences to show that you have the skills they are looking for.

Be brave – Anything new is probably a little bit daunting, but with apprenticeships you just have to be prepared to dive right in. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because this is just part of the learning process.

Be passionate and enthusiastic – When I asked my manager why she employed me, she said mostly because of my enthusiasm and energy. Being passionate and willing to learn will take you further than you think.

Molly Gerrard

Social Researcher Apprentice at Braintree District Council

Apprenticeship Ambassador for the East of England AAN

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