Digital Marketing Apprentice Review

I was involved with many different roles when managing the social media and general portrayal of Healthwatch Essex online. I created graphics, took photos and videos whilst also editing them, attended events, interacted with stakeholders, designed leaflets and booklets and recorded and posted TikToks to name a few.

Yes, many. Before starting I had very little knowledge of cameras, Essex healthcare, editing, design etc, but throughout my apprenticeship I was allowed to develop these skills and was encouraged to take training whenever possible.

I really enjoyed my 4 years with Healthwatch Essex. I learnt a lot, came into a fantastic working environment and this continued across my four years there.

It was very well organised from a Healthwatch Essex perspective, when I first joined I was eased into responsibilities and shadowed my colleagues to learn what to do and had my manager look over my work so I could learn from my mistakes. Then once I understood my tasks more they did not need checking as much.

A lot of support, if I had any questions I felt able to ask them and believed I felt valued when contributing to group discussions.

The availability of support from Anglia Ruskin University was good and I received any help I needed in good time from my tutors, however the delivery of other information, such as assignments, modules and workshops etc lacked in accuracy, detail and punctuality at times.

It helped to an extent as it gave me a good theoretical underpinning to my work at Healthwatch Essex, however I believe I learnt more through doing my various job roles with the charity.

There are many opportunities outside the office to get involved with. Every month there is a team development day which varies in topic, events can be attended regularly related to health and social care alongside the many forums that Healthwatch Essex run.

Yes

Fantastic working environment, supportive staff and the perfect first job to learn and develop your skills.

Go in with an open mind and try to learn as much as you can, there are loads of opportunities to learn and meet people you would never normally interact with and treat the staff with the respect they treat you with.