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In life, we all encounter challenges that test our resilience and character. For me, it was the decision to leave university and start afresh as an IT degree apprentice at Howden. At the time, I didn’t know that this decision would lead to a rewarding experience filled with growth, learning, and a platform to inspire others, but dropping out of university and doing a degree apprenticeship has been
As I reflect on my career journey, one word consistently comes to mind: resilience. It has been the driving force behind every achievement, every setback, and every moment of growth. Resilience is what has carried me through the toughest of times and allowed me to rise above obstacles that could have derailed me. I didn’t take the traditional route to where I am today, and along the way, I encount
Hello, my name is Nathan Humphreys and I am 19 years old. I recently completed my Level 3 Business Administrator with City and Guilds, employed by University College London in June 2024. Since completing my apprenticeship, I have taken on a new position as Systems Administrator as Now Student Living, whilst also working towards a Level 4 Project Management Diploma. Secondary School Experienc
Imagine dedicating 12 years of your life to a passion. Waking up everyday looking forward to the next, and maybe even finding your sense of self within the process. Well, for me that was lost when i made the decision to decline the opportunity to join a professional football team the year of my GCSEs. My name is Tia Melika El-Ahmadi, a 1st year apprentice at the world’s largest asset manager. You’
The plague of imposter syndrome Diving into education and study full time straight from sixth form college can be daunting. For me, an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome settled in and I truly began to doubt every move I made. It took me a while to realise that the reason I was here wasn’t because of a stroke of luck or to tick a diversity check list but because I had worked hard, and I was j
Hello, my name is Arber Ismaili and I am currently 20 years old in the last year of my BTEC studies, and I want to tell you guys the story of how I was a shy individual to now a confident and articulate individual who has managed to secure a degree apprenticeship offer from HSBC. Growing up, I was always quite shy most of my life and as being autistic it was much harder to try and learn how to mak
I remember how it felt not knowing where my life was heading. At first it was really scary and I honestly found it easier not to think about it. As time went on though I wanted to try something different and decided it was better to go all in on something I wasn’t 100% sure of than stay in a state of limbo. This is the story of how I went from no clue to working for one of the biggest tech compani
Hi, I’m Andrew Johnson, a recent graduate from BT’s Degree Apprenticeship scheme, where I specialised as a DevOps Engineer at Adastral Park. My journey wasn’t a straight path, but it was one filled with invaluable lessons, resilience, and growth—a story I hope will inspire you if you’re just starting out. The Journey Begins: From Uncertainty to Discovery After Sixth Form, I had no clear direction.
Life is like a Box of Chocolates Have you ever found yourself stuck in the confectionery aisle, overwhelmed by the endless choices? The familiar hues of purples and blues seem to call you towards your usual favourite. You’re almost set to grab it, that dependable sweet fix, when something unusual catches your attention. At the corner of your eye, there’s a chocolate bar you don’t quite recognise,
When it came time to pick post-A-Level options, choosing an apprenticeship felt like finally finding the missing puzzle piece to my career journey—a mix of excitement and clarity wrapped in a big, satisfying "aha!" moment. University had always been in the cards, but it wasn’t the right fit after I got a peek into the university life I’d imagined by attending a shadowing program at Cambridge. Spoi
Starting fresh in a new country is never easy, especially when you’re on your own. Moving from overseas to the UK to complete my A-levels brought its own set of challenges. The culture, learning styles, and overall community were different, and it took me some time to find my footing. But looking back, I realize that adapting to these changes taught me essential skills that I would use in the next
Taking that first step into the world of work or an apprenticeship can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where you’re heading or even if you’re capable. That was me a few years ago, full of potential but not yet knowing what path to take. I found my way through a T Level qualification in Digital Production, Design, and Development, a qualification that would not only shape my career
When I was in school in London, the path ahead wasn’t always clear. At 16, I knew I wanted to pursue something more practical than A-Levels, something that would allow me to get hands-on experience in an industry, while still keeping my options open for further education. That’s when I discovered T Levels, a relatively new qualification designed to bridge the gap between school and the world of wo
Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute and just sit right here, I'll tell you how I got nominated for Apprentice of the Year. In my home of Northamptonshire, born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. Chilling out, maxing, relaxing, all cool and all, shooting some b-ball outside of school… …I wish there was
There is no denying that thinking about the future is daunting, from deciding your path to wondering if it is the right one for you. It is scary, so I hope my blog provides you with a sense of comfort, but also inspiration to help you make the right decisions for yourself with confidence. Starting Out: Figuring Out What You Want Let’s start from the beginning. At school, I was achieving great grad
