Degree Apprentice Review

Tech sales involves looking at incoming requests, speaking to those that they are from and gaining a clearer idea of the situaition and their requirements. It requires tracking this and looking at offerings to see what would be the best fit and what else may be needed to facilitate requirements the client has. Also includes education - for sellers and others to further enable them.

Learnt loads on the technical side of things and plenty of soft skills too such as improving communication/ organisation/ planning etc. Team work is pretty crucial and have also been responsible for assisting interns whih has developed coaching/ mentoring skills when helping them with both the necessary tasks and in their development.

In reality, this programme was not best suited to my 'natural' skill set and I have found the technical side immensely draining to try and learn due to how challenging it's been. I feel this has prevented me from enjoying the programme as much as I would have otherwise, or from being able to achieve anywhere near as much as I hoped. Nevertheless, I've learnt lots and have tested my ability which has been great for personal growth.

It was the first year of the Degree Apprenticeship and it definitely showed throughout. Better communication between the government, the employers and the educators is definitely required and would help a lot. A lot of the time it feels like all on completely different pages and difficult to figure out what is going on.

Lots if you are brave enough to shout about needing help. They have been flexible when I've put my foot down and said I need it, but learning to do that and being brave enough to say that to an employer takes a lot so be prepared for that! Ultimately it's up to you to figure out what you need to get your programme done, and then ask for that and justify it.

The person assigned to the Degree Apprenticeships specifically was very willing to try and support throughout and very mindful of how tough it could be. Others who were not aware we were on a part time scheme and that we didn't have the background or time other's had varied in their approaches, with some very supportive and helpful and others incredibly unhelpful. Again, important to be able to voice when struggling and explain what with and ask for help.

My last role was the only one that really tied in to qualification and it certainly helped. It gave me a lot of base knowledge that allowed me to understand things in the 'real world'. However, being part time certainly restricts how useful and productive I feel I've been able to be, as well as the number of opportunities I've been able to take. Certainly this has been something I've struggled with more towards the end of the apprenticeship when there is more pressure to be more 'useful'

In my team we are social, and there are 'Clubs' based at locations who organise events (ie. if a comedian is playing locally, will attempt to get a number of tickets we can then purchase from the club) which is good too. Otherwise, very much 'what you make it' as I am based at a quieter location and we don't benefit from a huge community or centrally organised events (these are all London based).

Yes

I believe there are good opportunities available to the right people. I think it's very difficult to find good opportunities though if you are outside of the London 'bubble'. Particularly if you are a young professional trying to build a career, find being outside of London feels very limiting.

Really try to drill down in to the specifics of what the role you are being asked to interview for/look at actually is and consists of every day and see if this fits the kind of thing you like to do. Can't emphasise enough the importance of taking your time to really consider if it is for you (although I understand how much pressure there is to find a job and to leap at an opportunity if you're lucky enough to get one!). Get work experience at other organisations in similar industries/roles you are looking at first if possible. Ensure you are somewhat techincal - there will certainly be more opportunities for you if you are. And really consider if you want to move to London, it is (sadly) a very London-centric organisation.