Going to university was my dream! My parents never attended university, and I had never known anyone who had. Like many others, I was told that university was the golden ticket to success. It felt like life was just a matter of ticking off each stage. First came the GCSEs, which hit me like a punch in the gut when COVID-19 struck, but we got through it. Then came the A Levels, and I had no idea just how much this part of my life would shape me.

The closer it got to applying to university, the more I felt like I was running out of time, and I literally was. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I chose what I thought would be both employable and enjoyable: Human Geography. Honestly, when I submitted my application, I didn’t really expect to get in, mostly because I wasn’t entirely convinced that I truly wanted this. But somehow, I received 4 Russell Group university offers. I was set to go to the University of Birmingham to study Human Geography. It felt like an anchor of stability during such a tumultuous time, especially as the growing pressure to succeed in my A Levels seemed so much harder to navigate compared to GCSEs.

A False Sense of Stability

Yet that stability proved to be deceptive. My A Level results stood in stark contrast to my GCSEs; instead of excitement, smiles, and hugs, the day was filled with tears, heartbreak, and tight, comforting embraces. I got into the University of Birmingham, but something didn’t feel right. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realised I was about to spend nearly £30,000 on an education in a field I wasn’t entirely convinced about.

Taking a Gap Year

Over the next ten months, my gap year was defined by uncertainty and reflection. I clung to anything that might give me a sense of stability: working full-time as an administrative assistant, completing Application Season at Motivez, attending networking events, and doing everything I thought I ‘should’ do.

Looking back, I realise what I truly needed was contentment, without tying my identity to education, and to discover who I was outside of academia.

Discovering Apprenticeships

It was then that I received a call from Aon, a company where I had completed work experience, about a potential apprenticeship opportunity in Bristol, my home city. I had only briefly heard about apprenticeships before and, to be honest, I wasn’t convinced. During my Year 10 work experience, someone had described apprenticeships as a great way to get close to your dream career, but not all the way, unlike university. I was also so tied to the idea of education that I was afraid to step away from it. Still, I decided to apply, and it became my new focus.

Every morning and night, I prepared for the Aon opportunity and others, shooting blindly but still shooting. Somehow, it paid off: I received an offer for Aon’s Level 4 Investment Consulting Apprenticeship and even reached the final interview for a role that would change my life.

I was also offered a Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship at AtkinsRealis, a global engineering consultancy, as a Lava Lab Technician. By now, you’re probably asking yourself: What is a Lava Lab? Wouldn’t Investment Consulting pay more? Why data? Why AtkinsRealis? I hear you! but I had a vision.

I was late to the application cycle, but it introduced me to the world of consulting, a path I couldn’t let go of. When I turned down Aon for AtkinsRealis, I remember telling someone at Aon I wanted to go into consulting. They argued I could specialise in consulting earlier through investment consulting, but I knew in my gut that wasn’t for me. AtkinsRealis offered hands-on experience, exposure to immersive technology, and a sought-after data qualification I could apply across industries and roles, which would ultimately help me pursue consulting.

When I asked what they saw in me, they said that even without a technical background, my tenacity and strong communication skills showed I could learn the technical aspects on the job.

Growth at AtkinsRealis

June finally rolled around, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. From the timid girl who started off, I grew into someone confident and capable. I:

●     Mentored as a coach at HackAFuture in Manchester

●     Hosted over 30 events across our Lava Labs

●     Delivered training for more than 15 colleagues across the UK

●     Led internal campaigns to boost engagement

●     Helped improve our equipment booking system, now part of Virtual Site Access for nuclear clients globally

●     Was nominated for the Women in Nuclear Award and was a finalist at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Award

Every week brought new challenges, but the most valuable part was the connections I made with knowledgeable industry professionals from whom I could learn so much.

Learning the Fundamentals of Consulting

Working in a consultancy taught me core fundamentals: managing stakeholder needs, communicating effectively, and leveraging data-driven insights. With renewed determination, I set my sights on a consulting degree apprenticeship. Another application season began, and I found myself juggling studying, applying, working, maintaining a social life, and managing the OuterCircle Bristol team, a responsibility I had taken on at AtkinsRealis.

After submitting over 25 applications and facing multiple rejections, I received an email inviting me to the final interview for the only position I had applied for in London. I felt excitement, hope, and relief, emotions I hadn’t felt in a long time, not even since my A Levels. I threw myself into preparing for the assessment centre, meticulously planning travel and even my outfit.

When the day finally arrived, I traveled to London over four hours early, pacing around the city and rehearsing every possible question: “Why do you want to work here?” “Why consulting?” My final thought before the interview: just be yourself. It had worked before, and it worked again.

Joining Deloitte

Today, I work at Deloitte. I moved to London in August 2025 and started my role a month later. Looking back to 2023 and my A Levels, what a journey it has been! If I could give my younger self advice, it would be: trust your gut, stay curious, and most importantly, ask yourself, “Why not you?” From the start of your application, it has to be “Why not you?”, and you need to know the answer. What unique value do you bring? What sets you apart? These questions will guide you, challenge you, and define your path.

The 5 W’s of Applications

The “Why Not You” sits at the heart of the 5 W’s framework for any application. The other W’s are: 

●     Who – Who are you? What experiences, skills, or qualities define you?

●     What – What can you offer? What have you achieved so far, and what value do you bring?

●     When – When have you demonstrated your skills or made an impact? Highlight key moments or experiences and make it quantifiable .

●     Where – Where have you applied your skills or knowledge? Consider workplaces, projects, or teams.

●     Why – Why are you applying? Why does this opportunity excite you, and why are you the right fit?

Together, these questions help you tell a complete story, showing who you are, what you can offer, when and where you’ve made an impact, and why you’re the right fit. But “Why Not You?” is the most critical, it challenges you to reflect on your unique value and gives your answer the confidence and clarity to stand out.

Looking Ahead

Overall, my journey so far has taught me that it doesn’t end with the last chapter, there’s always another story waiting to be written. My journey in London feels like just the beginning. The tears, heartbreak, and tight, comforting embraces of the past have been replaced with hope and excitement for what lies ahead. But that hope didn’t come overnight; it came because I stayed patient, kept going, and trusted the process.

Apprenticeships aren’t easy; if you choose this path, it will be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. That’s exactly why I’m on my second one. You have to be willing to learn, and adapt.

My hope for the future is to continue being an ambassador and advocate for apprenticeships, while also expanding into the social media space, a platform where I can express my creativity and share helpful tips about my journey into consulting, apprenticeships, and life in London.

Sophia Bailey

Consultant Apprentice @ Deloitte | OuterCircle Bristol Regional Co-Lead | Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025 Finalist

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