Growing up with dyslexia wasn't easy. School was often a frustrating experience for me. I struggled with reading, writing and spelling, which made traditional learning environments incredibly challenging. I often felt like I couldn't keep up with my peers, and my confidence took a hit. The thought of spending another three or four- years in a similar environment at university filled me with dr
Navigating from education into employment can seem daunting, challenging and confusing, especially if you are keen to continue your studies but unsure what direction to take. I hope that this blog will provide some insight into my journey as I transitioned from Sixth Form into an apprenticeship, into a permanent role. After applying to University during Sixth Form as the majority of my peers
I'm a Senior Policy Advisor in the UK Government today, and this is a deep dive into how it all began. Starting a career is quite a challenge and there is hardly anybody who didn't get off to a rocky start! I do vividly remember the sharp pit in my stomach as I left university a few years ago without a clue about what would become of me. I knew I had to get a job, as soon as I possibly coul
A career in digital marketing is not easy. Neither is being a business owner… But, I like a challenge, so I decided to become a digital marketing agency owner. The journey Upon finishing high school, I decided I wanted to go to university, not to study something that had a specific career path outlined once I’d finished my degree, but to study what I was interested in at the time. I loved
I started my career following college, through a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship; Digital and Technology Solutions, Specialising in Software Engineering. My provider was Manchester Metropolitan University. I completed and graduated from my apprenticeship in 2022, and now work as a User Experience Designer & Researcher at OneFile. When I was in college, I was studying Computer Science, Produ
Starting a career can be daunting, especially when you’re just stepping out of school or university. My journey from China to the Netherlands, then to the UK for studies and work, and finally into entrepreneurship, has been filled with unexpected turns and valuable lessons. My journey wasn’t planned, but I don’t regret seizing the opportunities that came my way. By trying different things, I
My journey into engineering was not a straightforward one. As the Volunteer Association of Apprentices Council Chair and an IET volunteer, I am now on a unique path that is providing me with a wealth of experiences that I am eager to share with young people, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and apprenticeships. My academic journey at
Over the last few years, I've been focusing on comparing myself to where I was previously, rather than to other people. When I compare myself now to where I was at school, it's amazing to think that I'm somewhere that I didn't think I could end up. That somewhere is the world of software development. When I was figuring out my Key Stage 4 options in year 9, I nearly did NCFE Craft, but it was
My journey from student to apprentice to apprentice & beyond starts further back than most. I always had something telling me that I wouldn’t go to university full time. At the time I had no idea what it was, and truth be told I’m not fully sure why now. Whatever it is, I’m glad it did tell me and I’m grateful I listened. The best place to start is when I was 13 year old. Young Sam Presto
I am currently a Senior Strategy Advisor, Public Speaker, and self-declared Apprenticeship Advocate! I started my apprenticeship scheme at 18 years old, and it was life changing. This experience has fuelled my passion for advocating for similar opportunities for all young people. In this piece, I will share my experiences as a young person navigating a complicated education landscape and how,
Remembering that the decisions you make as a school leaver can have long-lasting, far-reaching life and career consequences is a thought that many rightfully feel is fear-inducing. Factor in an unprecedented global pandemic to the mix, 18-year-old me who was used to feeling like she had it all figured it out, felt completely panicked and in unknown territory. 4 years later, I am nearly halfway
When you begin the journey of work, you figure out there are many things you didn’t realise were such important aspects of your future career. That’s if you know what career you wanted in the first place. When I was in school, my mind wandered through many possibilities. Police officer, lawyer, journalist. By the time I realised media and marketing was my cup of tea, I had jumped in the deep
Just as I had got comfortable at school, it was time to move on to something new. While some of my friends were racing off to college, university or into a job, I was left wondering what came next for me. I had no idea what I wanted to “do for the rest of my life” but I did know I didn’t want to go to University straight from school. If the degree apprenticeship opportunity had been ava
I've always enjoyed school. I love learning, and I've been lucky that it's reflected in my academic grades. Because of my aptitude, my teachers right from primary school all the way until college assumed that I would go to university. Heck, I assumed I would go to university! My high school especially really drove home the idea that the only way for me to succeed would be to go to university.
Trying to make decisions about your future at the start of your life is hard. I know some people have a sudden insight that they want to be a doctor or athlete or underwriter, but most of us aren’t that clear. How can we be? Even with the internet we are only aware of a small subset of all the possible jobs and careers out there in the world, and what else may become possible during
