I decided to do an apprenticeship because I thought it would be a great way to get a head start in my career. One of the reasons I chose not to go to university is the fact that my tuition fees are paid for by my employer, meaning I won’t be in any debt when I finish. I also believe that a university degree doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage in the job market.

Before applying, I did some research to find out more about apprenticeships and the areas I’m interested in. I explored different options through the Not Going to Uni website and that’s how I found my current employer. During my A-Levels I also tried to gain as much work experience as possible, so that I could see how a working environment compares to school, and to demonstrate to future employers that I can fit in well with a team.

As an apprentice working in audit, every day is different and there are always exciting opportunities to learn and gain experience from. Before going in to accountancy, I didn’t know what to expect and I’m amazed at the diversity of the profession and how vital it is to businesses. 

Life as an apprentice can be tough as you need to motivate yourself to study after a hard day’s work. However, you really get back what you put in and passing your exams is a great feeling. Having had no previous knowledge or experience in accounting, it was a challenging time for me when I started out. But what really helped and inspired me was going through it with my peers. We all pull together and encourage each other, and this is my favourite part of the job. 

My advice to those considering their options after school would be to find what’s right for you. Just because your friends or your parents went to university, doesn’t mean it’s what you should do too.