Student task
Why chose an apprenticeship?
In recognition of National Apprenticeships Week, students were set independent tasks to complete work associated with apprenticeships and what they involve. Below are some WAGOLL answers from students who researched ‘learning on the job’ apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are available in a variety of trades, office roles, paramedics, and policing, as well as many more careers.
Mrs Bentley
Head of Geography & Work Experience Co-ordinator
I have recently taken on the role of Work Experience Co-ordinator as I am a strong believer that gaining work experience is an essential part of a career journey. I would not be in teaching now if I had not gained work experience as a teenager.
At school I really enjoyed Geography and Biology, but didn’t know what career I wanted to pursue. I kept my options open, and studying A levels gave me an extra two years to decide. Within this time I grew to love Geography more than Biology and decided to take a degree in Geography at university. At first I thought I would like to be a quantity surveyor, so I gained some work experience in this field. The actual on site work, I really enjoyed the 'on location' aspect of the work, but I wasn't keen on using AutoCAD - a computer aided design programme used creates detailed plans. After a week of this work, I knew I could not pursue this career path.
I decided to reconsider my options, and investigate what other jobs would suit my degree qualification, and decided to volunteer as a Teaching Assistant at a local school. In just a few months I gained valuable experience and decided I wanted to work in a school with young people, as each day offered something different and interesting. I decided, as I had a degree, I should become a teacher rather than an assistant, so I went back to university to complete a PGCE and became a Geography teacher just 1 year later.
Work experience really helped guide me to my chosen career, and it could help you too! Someone who has volunteered their time to understand a job and what it entails is highly desirable to employers, and can amplify your academic grades on a job application.
Mrs Hill
BMS Administrator
When I was a Year 10 student at Thorns I was offered a WEX placement at Marks and Spencer in Dudley Town Centre (long before Merry Hill Shopping centre existed). I wasn't interested in the slightest in pursuing a career in retail, however I absolutely loved every minute of my two week placement. Working in the different departments and getting to see 'behind the scenes', as well as trying all the yummy M&S food from the food hall was a great experience. Then, when the Merry Hill Centre opened, I was able to secure part-time retail work whilst studying at college and university.
My son is currently 17 years old, and is trying to find himself a part time job whilst he is at college, however each application he fills in states "previous experience required". He said to me the other day "I wish that I had done my Year 10 Work Experience in a shop at Merry Hill...then I may stand a chance of securing a part time job now".
I would highly recommend volunteering for work experience, even if it's virtual during the pandemic, as it is what employers are looking for...not just grades. It may also open your eyes to other jobs you maybe haven’t thought about yet.
Mr Southall
E-Tech Support
At school I wanted to be a musician or a musicians technician, but it is a really tough career path to forge, so it is a really good idea to have a back-up plan and to get some work experience/volunteer work under your belt so you can give yourself the best shot possible. I did some voluntary work within this industry aged 13-18 with Dudley performing Arts to help build my knowledge and skills portfolio. I used my experience working at CEX to develop my people skills and earn some money.
Through the connections I made through voluntary work, I learned about a vacancy as a Theatre Technician at Thorns and I've worked my way up the ladder to the post I hold today. Without my voluntary work I wouldn’t have found a job I enjoy, and a career I love.
Miss Dyson
Teacher of Science
I have been teaching for nearly two years. When I was younger I always believed I would end up working with horses, but I decided not to follow this career after high school. Working in a school as a Science Technician for 6 years is what made me realise I would enjoy teaching.
I took a very long route to becoming a teacher - I completed a BTEC in forensic science, a HNC in Applied Biology, a 3-year Open University Degree in Biology and a 1 year PGCE Postgraduate course.
There are a few ways to get into teaching. PGCE is one option where you must attend university and you get placed at different schools. Other options include: Teach first, where you immediately start teaching in a school while training, or a school direct route where a school will train you with the help of university.
When teaching there are a lot of skills that are picked up that help with a lot of other careers. Organisation, time management, teamwork and punctuality are just some of the skills acquired. The qualifications achieved are also useful, for example, because a degree is needed to become a teacher, there is always the option of using the degree to go into another career path. There are also many different routes for promotions in the teaching profession.
I would advise students to pick a work experience that they are truly interested in. It is not always easy to find work experience in a place you like, so just keep trying and don’t give up. Work experience is useful in figuring out if a certain career path may be for you.
Mr Guest
E-Tech Support
After working for most of my life in a foundary/engineering, I was made redundant. It was then that I decided I would change my career, so I went back to college to retrain. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I completed an ‘Introduction to counselling’ course and a ‘Maintain, build and repair computer’ course concurrently. I then proceeded with both potential career paths up to a Level 3, but due to the intensity of the courses I made the choice to pursue the ICT route.
I completed a 3 month work experience, and the following year a 6month work experience at Thorns. It equipped me with the skills I required to apply for jobs in this area.
That opened doors for me at Thorns, and at the end of the second work experience they offered me a position. I have now been working at Thorns for 11 years, and really enjoy working with the team.
Work experience enhanced my prospects tremendously. I couldn’t be a bigger advocate for work experience, and in today’s climate work experience is more important than ever.
Mrs Sihota
Head of ICT
Initially, at secondary school, I wanted to pursue a career the Media Industry and completed a work experience placement at a local radio station where I had the opportunity to read the daily traffic and weather reports as well as working on production. I decided to study A-Level English, Maths and Computing at A-Level as it also allowed me to keep my options open as the Media Industry is regarded as difficult to get into.
I never studied Computing at GCSE, as this option wasn’t available. However, I chose to study it at A-Level as this industry was just emerging, and the thought of becoming a Games Developer sounded appealing. I had the opportunity to gain work experience within a local software company which offered me insight into what working in this industry would be like. I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience. As a result I chose to study Computer Science at University. When I graduated I worked as a programmer, and soon realised I didn’t like working in an office environment from 9-5 every day. The job also lacked variation and soon each day became monotonous.
I decided again I would like a career change, and because of my desire to make a positive contribution to our country, the Armed Forces were at the forefront of my mind. I enquired to the RAF. They advised me to complete a teacher training course, as the higher level of education meant I could join the forces as a higher-ranking officer. I decided to go for the role of a Training Officer as this would allow me to work with children of military personnel in the barracks. However I changed my mind again. I thoroughly enjoyed working with children and I just knew whie completing my PGCE teaching placements that teaching was the profession for me. I am now in my 18th year of teaching and still love the job.
In a nutshell, my career and desires have changed as I have matured and adapted to other aspects of my life that have also evolved alongside my career. I wouldn’t have chosen this path if it hadn’t been for the work experiences I completed, the advice I sought and the changes to the labour market that forced me to follow another career path. My biggest piece of advice would be to do your research, think hard about your career choices, and always keep an open mind, as we will need to adapt and change with the times and the ever-changing demands of the labour market.
Mrs D'Arcy
Behaviour Management Services
It never crossed my mind to work in a school, as my background had been in Finance/Collections /Fraud for over 35 years.
I came to Thorns via voluntary work through my employer, supporting students at risk of exclusion. I was then made redundant and applied through a Dudley Council to work at Thorns as a mentor. The rest, as they say, is history.
The job is constantly changing and you have to be flexible, as each day is different. It's not a 9-5 job - you have to be non-judgemental, be there for students, but also be able to deal with poor behaviour and take the appropriate action when necessary.
It is a very challenging role, it’s not a job you can just walk into. You need as much experience as you can, starting at the basic level. Life experiences play a big role in your decision making. You need to be a good communicator, a people’s person, and be able to remain calm under pressure and not take personal insults to heart.
I would advise young people interested in roles like mine to contact schools, and ask if there is any possibility of a work experience placement.
Miss Haycock
Teacher of Languages
When I was a kid I lived and breathed golf, and my dream was to be a professional golfer. You could say I was blindsided by the desire. I did however realise, after a bad round of mock exams, that I was about to leave school with no qualifications so I decided to work hard for the final few months and I managed to pass every subject. This meant I had a PLAN B option if required. After completing my A-Levels I went to university to study Sports Management. I did not really enjoy the work but I got to play golf all the time so it was a means to an end. I then got selected to play golf in the USA for a top university and study for another degree.
I decided to study Psychology and German which I loved, and it gave me the opportunity to travel. After 4 years I returned home and became a professional golfer. My father, who is also a golf professional, was a realist and used to say it's a hard career that involves a lot of travelling for little money, and to be careful. I soon found this out for myself, and after a year I began working as a translator, which enabled me to earn some extra money.
As a youngster I gained work experience at a school, which I enjoyed, so I looked in to becoming a TA. Soon after becoming a TA I realised being a teacher would be more challenging, and that I could use my language skills to help others. I completed another degree course and became a teacher of Languages and Psychology.
My story, for now, ends here. I would advise students to not become blind sided by one career, and to have a plan B. There are many options out there and many different paths life will take you on. Work experience helps to open doors, even years later, so its always good to gain the experience when you can.
We asked Thorns student Jake Thompson a few questions about his experience attending the InvestIN Engineering Course on 23rd-24th March 2021
1) Summarise what the event included?
The event involved us going through lectures, then going into zoom break out calls and doing group activities.
2) What was the best part of the event?
Being able to work in groups of people who have the same interests as you, and learning from qualified lecturers.
3) Did it help you to decide on your future career, or help steer your journey?
Yes, it helped me develop my interest in engineering, and I have applied to study electrical engineering at college.
4) What advice would you give to anyone offered a place with InvestIn?
To be prepared and get the information packs ready before it starts and to be engaged and ask question if you don't understand...you will get more from it this way.
Careers team: Ms Mackay and Mrs Bentley
rmackay@tca.shirelandcat.net
ebentley@tca.shirelandcat.net
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