Deflated by job searches to Digital Marketing apprentice
An apprenticeship was the opportunity I didn’t know I needed to give me the career change I wanted. But first, a bit of back story - I graduated from university in 2013, worked in design for a few years, realised I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I did, moved between different jobs to try and find a new career and then became unemployed at the start of the pandemic in 2020. I took this as an opportunity to assess what I wanted.
For a few years I knew I wanted to make a career change as I hadn’t been enjoying my work, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or how to get there. I had graduated from university expecting an exciting career in design but found real-world job roles to be limiting and stressful.
I knew my priorities were: a good work-life balance, a fun company culture and a role that challenged me but didn’t push me over the edge. I looked at countless careers sites, read blogs on job roles and spoke to others about their careers to get an idea of what was out there. This is where marketing came in. I saw a job advert for a digital marketer, and it was a mixture of creative skills, analysis and strategy, and organisation. This sounded perfect to me. However, I had no marketing degree, no previous experience and I lacked some of the skills. I couldn’t even get my foot through the door, and it was an entry-level role.
I would soon find that this was a recurring theme with lots of employers. I found myself five months into a job search feeling very deflated and ready to throw in the towel. I had seen an advert for career’s advice on a college website while looking at short courses and thought I didn’t have much to lose speaking to someone about my prospects. I had a phone call, explained my situation, and was asked – have you ever thought of an apprenticeship? The answer was no and that I thought my age meant I wasn’t eligible but that is no longer true. You can be any age.
Within the space of a month, I was applying to digital marketing apprenticeships left, right and centre. The application process was simple, but it was very competitive. I spent countless hours writing cover letters, researching companies, and prepping for interviews but it was worth it! In April 2021 I interviewed for a role in a start-up company specialising in email marketing. I had two interviews in a single day and was offered the position at the end of the week. I was so happy that all my effort had paid off and that I was finally starting my journey in digital marketing.
Fast-forward nine months and I am half-way through my apprenticeship. My team have been super supportive and encouraging right from the beginning. It didn’t matter that I was completely new to marketing, I had a good base. I asked lots of questions and started with small tasks. I am currently on my third module at college, and I am now managing my own clients at work with the guidance of my manager.
For anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship – especially one within digital or tech – I would say its one of the best things you can do.
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