GetMyFirstJob Ambassador
Hello, I Am Hollie
Considering an Apprenticeship? I’d highly recommend this career path!
Tell us more about your experience
I’m currently on year 2 of 4 of my degree apprenticeship at BT Tower. My scheme means I get the opportunity to rotate teams every 6 months. Currently, my day-to-day role is as a Media Futures Professional. I work on the development of the future of the broadcast industry and the technologies surrounding it. My tasks include helping coordinate exciting new trials, creating content for colleagues to understand the media industry and business intelligence reporting.
I would say my proudest moment so far is when I was lucky enough to be able to interview, host, and plan an event with the CEO of BT Enterprise. We asked him all about his plans for Enterprise and his career! Alongside this, I was featured as a case study on the Women In tech webpage.
I knew an Apprenticeship for me personally would be the best career route. During sixth form, I worked several small part-time jobs alongside my studies. I was exposed to various basic transferable skills, like customer-facing skills, presentation skills, and working to deadlines. I learnt a lot on-the-job that helped me develop personally. I wanted to continue to work but also wanted a degree. The obvious things also came to mind, like getting 4-years work experience on my CV and the opportunities that come with working for a company like BT.
“I preferred on-the-job learning; however, I still wanted that professional degree. An Apprenticeship route is a perfect mix!”
My aspirations and 5-year plan would be to graduate from the scheme and continue my career with BT, in parallel continuing to mentor early-career colleagues. So, for any aspiring apprentices reading this and considering an apprenticeship, go for it! You’ll need to keep in mind it won’t always be easy. Studying and working full-time takes a careful balance but is so rewarding.
My school didn’t have enough visibility on the opportunities that Degree Apprenticeships give individuals. Given this, my apprenticeship search was mostly done alone. Looking back now, this was beneficial. I wasn’t influenced by any opinions or thoughts except mine! However, it’s important to change this and ensure there is enough information to inform students on other opportunities outside of traditional university.
“Make sure you’ve researched thoroughly and that the industry and company are right for you!”
Outside of my day-to-day role, I also spend a lot of my time mentoring aspiring students, classes, attending careers fairs, hosting work experience, speaking on panels about apprenticeships and my journey so far. I also help plan and raise awareness around D&I (Diversity & Inclusion) within BT Enterprise. It’s great to be able to get the opportunity to work with organisations that help promote apprenticeships! I am excited to be able to represent platforms such as GetMyFirstJob!
Finally, BT have always provided a huge deal of support. I have a great network of mentors, ex-apprentices, colleagues, managers, and coaches who I wouldn’t be able to develop without!
Interested in becoming an ambassador? Find out more!