Thursday 27 November 2014

27th November 2014: My final day as an apprentice.

Wow.
One year and one month, two employers, one apprentice provider, 26 units, 6 study weeks, 3 apprentice advisors, a bit of aggro, a lot of fun and a lot of hard work.
I've done it.

As of tomorrow, I'll no longer be an apprentice; I will be a Digital Marketing Assistant at the Guardian News and Media.

Up until writing this post, right now, I didn't realise how proud I am of myself for finishing it. I feel an immense sense of accomplishment. It was hard work for lots of reasons.

When I think about myself just over a year ago, the difference to now is astounding. I stood at the beginning of a long road, a road made longer and very dark by depression and anxiety (I know this isn't the forum to discuss that but it's important to mention at this stage.) The days before I started my apprenticeship, there was no reason to get out of bed, I had massive void in my life and I was desperate to fill it but because of the way I felt, it was almost impossible to make a start. But I did one day.

I'm so proud that I've done it after having been told like many other 18 year-olds "you won't get anywhere without a degree." Well I am getting places, so there!

I'm under no illusion, this is still the beginning, its baby steps- I'm only an assiatant for goodness sake, but I'm 19 and in the same position lots of people will be in when they're in their early 20s.

No apprenticeship is something to be put down, not matter what industry, what level or what employer.

It's a lot of practical work as well as written. It takes time, a good effort, determination and a positive attitude.

Ri x