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National Apprenticeship Week: Macey's Journey

Finishing your GCSEs or A-Levels is a relief. You’ve spent lots of time studying, revising and leading up to this moment and then boom, it’s over.

It’s summer, the opportunity to spend endless amounts of time being free. Free from stress, work and pressure to succeed. But suddenly, a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts and wondering hits you. Bang! Where will I go? What will I do? For so long you’ve been in the same routine…waking up every morning, getting up and going to school, college or sixth form. It can be scary and daunting. You find yourself having the freedom to step into the real world but you’re too afraid to take that step.

Most of the time, it’s assumed you’ll go to university. And sometimes, that seems like the safest option. But you’re a different person now, you have the chance to spread your wings and fly. So, what’s stopping you?

I had an amazing summer, but then September came around. Everyone was going back to school or starting University and here I was unsure of where to go. I almost felt jealous of those who knew what they wanted to do and what path they wanted to go down. Instead of dwelling on it, I worked part-time in my Dad’s shop. It got me by, put it that way. Although I was earning money, the more time I spent working there, the more desperate I was in wanting to find ‘something’. I had applied for jobs, been rejected and had my confidence knocked. But there comes a time where you need to get back up and start trying. Try harder and don’t give up.

There’s a lot of competition out there. In order to be physically and mentally prepared for this new chapter in your life, you need to be ok with rejection. There’s no embarrassment or shame if you don’t get something first time. What’s meant to be will be. Spend time figuring out what you enjoy and what you’re passionate about. There’s no rush to succeed, you’ll get there in the end.

Be confident

Have faith in yourself, there’s something out there waiting for you.

Rather than sitting and waiting for an opportunity to come to you, be proactive and push yourself out of your comfort zone by applying for apprenticeships. There are training providers out there who are on your side. They will be there to represent you and support you in every step of the way. Attend interviews and use them to gain the experience you need to find confidence in yourself. 

Be yourself

Although you want to make a good impression, you also want them to see the real you. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. The right working place will accept you for who you are as a person.

Where can I look?

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Like job boards but for apprenticeships, gov.uk is a great site to use to start searching and applying for apprenticeships.

https://www.linkedin.com

You can also join networking sites like LinkedIn to find people working in an industry which you might be interested in. Connect with people, follow businesses, build your profile and get inspired.