Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular route to higher education and career development, offering the best of both worlds: practical experience and a qualification, all while earning a salary. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, we’re here to give you more insight into why it could be the perfect opportunity for you.


To inspire your journey, we’ve gathered success stories from our ambassadors — apprentices at Microsoft, Channel 4, and TfL, who have turned their roles into thriving careers. 


Abby’s Journey at Microsoft

Abby chose an apprenticeship because she wanted to gain a degree while also building hands-on experience. “Being able to earn while I learn is a big bonus!” she says.

As part of the Commercial & PMO functions at Microsoft, Abby works with stakeholders on onboarding, contract management, and process efficiency. One of the standout moments in her career so far was attending an organisational offsite in Athens, Greece; a fantastic networking opportunity that also gave her insight into how Microsoft continuously learns and improves.

Balancing work and study has been her biggest challenge, but with Microsoft’s supportive culture and well-being initiatives, she has found the right balance. Looking ahead, Abby has multiple career paths available, whether staying at Microsoft or exploring other opportunities. Her top advice? “Ask if your apprenticeship offers rotations so you can explore different areas and find the right fit for your career.”


Ashanti’s Rise at Channel 4

Ashanti describes her apprenticeship as an “amazing experience” that helped her grow immensely as a person. She started in Channel 4’s Talent Team, recruiting for creative roles and handling stakeholder management. Over time, she took on more responsibilities and was even promoted early!

Beyond recruitment, Ashanti became a strong advocate for apprenticeships, participating in our ambassador network, social media campaigns, and industry panels. Her journey wasn’t always easy; she initially started university but quickly realised it wasn’t for her. After facing multiple rejections, she persevered and secured an apprenticeship with Channel 4, which she describes as a dream opportunity.

Since then, she’s explored her creative side by working in commissioning, gaining hands-on experience with production shoots, talent scouting, and programme development. Her advice? “Go for it! Apply to as many as you want and let your passion shine through.”


Safwaan’s Impact at TfL

Unsure of what to study at university, Safwaan decided an apprenticeship was the best way to explore his interests while gaining real-world experience. Now, as a Sponsor at TfL, he works on projects to make London’s roads safer, such as reducing speed limits and installing safety measures.

One of his proudest achievements was successfully having a station name endorsed for the East London Line programme; a process that involved gaining approval from multiple senior stakeholders and the deputy mayor for transport. While balancing work and study was initially overwhelming, the support from his colleagues helped him manage his time effectively.

His key advice? “Apply, apply, apply! The process can be tough, but understanding the application stages and applying to multiple opportunities will boost your chances.”


Why Choose an Apprenticeship?

These inspiring stories highlight just how rewarding an apprenticeship can be. Whether you’re looking for hands-on experience, networking opportunities, or a structured path to career growth, an apprenticeship can open doors you never expected.

If you’re thinking about applying, but unsure of the opportunities that are out there, click here to browse the opportunities our employers currently have live!

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