Unsure about university? Considering an apprenticeship? Want to gain experience and a certification? Here’s my experience of becoming a marketing apprentice at Channel 4
I found choosing a route of progression after school tricky. There were so many options, it was quite confusing. I felt overwhelmed leaving college and it took a lot of research and a couple of months to determine what I wanted to pursue.
I was interested in marketing and started to apply for apprenticeships in media marketing. No, I didn’t get the the first one I applied for, or even the third. But with every piece of rejection feedback. it gave me a chance to implement changes in the way I apply, interview and present to companies. I had heard wonderful things about life at Channel 4 so applied for a couple of their marketing apprenticeships. The process was easy, clear with great communication. Finally, after just under a year of applications I got an apprenticeship!
Life as an apprentice at Channel 4 has been great so far. Not only have I learnt a ton in such a short time in my first few months. I have the support of an amazing marketing team and VQ Solutions teachers who all help me get the most out of my learning and have shown me the ropes at Channel 4.
During a typical week I work with the Channel 4 marketing team four days and on Fridays I crack on with coursework and interactive online classes. I really enjoy working with various departments and seeing a marketing campaign develop from an idea to a fully executed plan.
From my apprentice experience I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Not only do I get to learn, I get to apply my learning immediately at work, practicing and developing skills every single day.
There is so much more to a career than work, learning to build connections and create a professional toolkit to help my future progression and skillset.
An apprenticeship has definitely been the right route for me and I am so glad every day that I persevered with my applications despite the rejections. I encourage anyone considering applying to an apprenticeship to do it. You don’t need prior experience. The point is to gain experience through the apprenticeship and immersive on job learning.
