This National Apprenticeship Week, the Girls’ Division invited Old Girls Faye Clarkson (Class of 2023) and Jasmine Shum (Class of 2023) to share their experiences as apprentices in assembly.
Faye applied for a degree apprenticeship when she was in Year 13 and successfully gained a place with law firm Weightmans. She is now a first year apprentice and was able to talk through the application process and her first steps along this path. She offered her advice to those considering an apprenticeship, particularly encouraging the girls to make the most of in-school opportunities such as mock interviews to build skills and confidence. She went on to speak about her introductory week, which included time to bond with her fellow apprentices and opportunities to meet members of the company at all levels, including the directors. She ended with the positive note that starting work does not mean the end of a social life, and said that as she is earning a wage she’s able to take herself on holidays and even travel to visit friends at university for nights out.
Jasmine is now a marketing apprenticeship at Amazon in London, where she works for Prime Video. She too talked about how she began her career journey while still at school through work experience opportunities, how she went on to complete an internship and was the Social Media Manager for the TedX Manchester event in March 2023. She spoke briefly about her current role at Amazon and said that, as an apprentice, she is learning and growing both professionally and personally. She described being an apprentice as a fairly unique experience, which prioritises becoming well-rounded. Finally, she advised aspiring apprentices to engage with the resources available as part of National Apprenticeship Week and, when they start, to make sure they get involved with the large and valuable apprentice community.
Year 12 student Harriet Atherton, who plans to apply for a degree apprenticeship next year, also spoke during the assembly to share her preparations and what the application process involves. She and Mr Radcliffe, who led the assembly, offered insight into some of the benefits of degree apprenticeships, such as the chance to earn both a salary and work experience while studying and no student debt.
The assembly was a great introduction to National Apprenticeship Week and encouraged the whole of the Girls’ Division to think more about this viable and rewarding option.
During the same week Chloe Wynne, an apprentice solicitor in London, also contributed to the conversation in this short film in which she talks about following an apprenticeship in law.
