APPRENTICESHIP SUCCESS!
I was thinking about which direction to follow after HGSS and for me an opportunity to study and work towards a degree was my preferred option. I have for the last two summers gained work experience and enjoyed working, this cemented my wish to follow this route.
I started looking before Christmas on the Government and the UCAS websites for degree apprenticeships. I soon realised that if you don’t apply quickly, they shut before the close date, so after getting my CV ready and covering letters, I was ready. I checked the websites once every week and applied for the ones which suited my skill set.
The processes for all of them were long, starting with sending in a CV, following up with psychometric tests, online testing and web interviews, predominantly without an interviewer, the next step was assessment centres which last approximately 4-5 hours online and consisted of group exercises, interviews and presentations. The last stage is interviews with Human Resources and Management of the Company.
For all of the stages after the initial stage, I had to do research on the company I applied for and also understand how my skills would match the role. I had to link this with examples of this in my day-to-day life, which led to them understanding how I would suit the role I had applied for.
Although when I am writing this down, it sounds like a lot of work, I did enjoy looking for new opportunities and researching the companies before interview, as well as developing my knowledge on interviews, and how to deal with timed situations.
There is a lot of competition, so be prepared, the rewards are huge if you are successful as you have a career path, a degree which is paid for by the Company and a real sense of achievement. The Company are investing a lot of time and money in you and your career so you need to show that you have commitment to work and study.
I gained my Apprenticeship and was successful out of 600 applicants, there were 6 of us selected for final stage and only 1 position available, in September I start my next challenge working towards my level 6 Supply Chain management degree on an apprenticeship basis with Glaxo Smith Kline.
I did it and so can you!
Archie White, Year 12
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