A lot of us know the feeling of waiting anxiously for A level results day. Some of us await our results without knowing what the next step is now college has come to an end. Two years ago I was one of these uncertain and anxious people.

Early into my second year at BHASVIC I decided like many people, that university wasn’t the right path for me. My reasons? I wasn’t prepared to pay £9000 tuition fees for a course/path I wasn’t absolutely certain I’d like to mould into a career. I also felt like I needed a break from vigorous studying and wanted some real, working world experience (a bit of money was pretty appealing too!). My interests lie in digital media and so it made perfect sense to stay in Brighton, the buzzing, creative and digital hub that it is! After speaking with tutors, career advisors and carrying out some independent research, I began applying for Social Media & Digital Marketing Apprenticeships and within a month of doing so, I was offered a position as Marketing Assistant at Dv8 Sussex that I gladly accepted. Two years later and a year after passing my Apprenticeship, I remain at the Brighton Dv8 centre as the Marketing & Recruitment Assistant.

Now, without further ado I’m going to get to the point in this blog… Here are eight reasons as to why I think an Apprenticeship is an opportunity every young person should at the very least investigate! In no particular order…

1. Personal development – You will undoubtedly expand and improve your own skill-set. You will obtain new skills you didn’t even know you were capable of possessing, and your self-confidence will grow tremendously. On completion of your Apprenticeship you’ll be a strong-minded and knowledgeable young person with a very valuable year’s worth of experience in your industry.
2. Contacts – One of the best things about the Apprenticeship for me was the opportunity to network and meet new, creative minds in various, exciting industries all year around. You know what they say, it’s not just about what you know, it’s about who you know.
3. Your employer/colleagues – An overwhelming highlight of my Apprenticeship was just how much I’ve smiled and laughed throughout. It was a nervous experience coming into my first full time position where I was the youngest member of staff. But straight off the bat I was made to feel warm and welcome. I’m proud to say that not only are the people I work with colleagues, they are incredible people and have become cherished friends. This is perhaps one of the most rewarding things about my job.
4. Money/Salary – Admittedly on first glance at the apprentice minimum wage of £2.73 per hour (soon to be £3.30!) isn’t that appealing… But when you compare it against your tuition fees, you could be around £7000 up at the end of your Apprenticeship instead of £9000 in debt! And anyhow, you’re earning some money, on top of work experience in an exciting industry you’re interested in, and getting a qualification! Not bad…
5. University after an Apprenticeship – Why not take an Apprenticeship, earn, learn and get a qualification, and then consider university afterwards? If you choose to study and complete a degree after your A levels, you are then ineligible for any Apprenticeship under a degree level. Choose wisely…
6. Misconceptions – The most common Apprenticeship myth is that they are for people who aren’t intelligent enough to go to university. That is absolute RUBBISH. I can tell you for a fact that the employers we work with want the absolute best candidates possible – very high expectations. But don’t let that put you off either! There are Apprenticeships of different levels, and something for everyone, it may just require some research to find the right one for you.
7. Qualification – On completion of your Apprenticeship, you’ll receive a diploma in your chosen field. Another success to add to your résumé!
8. Kick-start your career – If you’re lucky enough to find the perfect apprenticeship, it has the potential to set you and your future career up. A bold claim, but it’s true. Your Apprenticeship could take you anywhere – you just don’t know who you’ll meet, or what you’ll achieve on your Apprenticeship journey.

So there we have it, eight reasons as to why you’re missing a trick if you don’t look in to relevant Apprenticeship opportunities. I can honestly say that the Apprenticeship I took in Social Media & Digital Marketing was the best decision I’ve made to date, and I loved working at Dv8 so much that a year on from my Apprenticeship, I’m still here working hard, and having fun.

At Dv8 Sussex, we offer a range of Advanced Social Media & Digital Marketing Apprenticeships, you can see and apply for our latest vacancies here. We run Apprenticeships all year around.

Not quite an Apprenticeship, but offering some similar experiences, our Advanced courses in Live Events & Promotion, and Media Production are also worth a look if you’re thinking of specialising in these industries.