Apprenticeships are becoming the hot ticket to get on the career ladder, and it’s no surprise. With media, tech and a host of industries offering opportunities, apprenticeships can springboard you towards your career goals.

Amna Arfan, an Out of Home Executive at Starcom; Sian Hammond, an Emerging Talent Executive at Publicis Groupe; and Destiny Phillip, a Client Services Apprentice at Digitas joined us during National Apprenticeship Week to share how they found their apprenticeships, and how you can follow in their footsteps.

In this article:

• Top Reasons to Take the Apprenticeship Route
• 6 Step Guide to Finding Your Perfect Apprenticeship Programme

Top Reasons to Take the Apprenticeship Route

• Earn while you learn: Student debt? I don’t know her. Earn a salary, gain a qualification and start your working life, debt-free.
• Get ahead of the competition: Build your portfolio while you’re still studying and gain a competitive edge over candidates with less hands-on experience.
• Progress fast: With structured progression pathways offered by many employers, you won’t just get on the career ladder, you’ll set a path to reach the top.
• Explore opportunities: Many companies, like Publicis Media and Digitas, offer apprentices the chance to explore a range of departments. Think of it as a try-before-you-buy for your future career.

6 Step Guide to Finding Your Perfect Apprenticeship Programme

1. Be Proactive

Don't wait for opportunities – seek them out! Growing your network through events and outreach can help you find out about leading apprenticeship opportunities. Amna attended an Insight Day run by Next Tech Girls and Publicis Media and now works for Starcom, part of the Publicis Media group of agencies. “Demonstrating interest and making connections is a really good way to stand out,” she said.

Destiny agreed, "Showing proactivity will set you apart." She said, “I definitely recommend reaching out to people on LinkedIn."

2. Show Genuine Interest

"Show the company that you're interested in them," shared Amna. Companies don’t want a generic application, they want to know that you’ve learned about their culture, their service, and why you’ve chosen the apprenticeship route.

"It's great to know why you want to do an apprenticeship instead of going to uni," said Sian. Sharing that you’re interested in their progression programme or love hands-on learning will show you’ve done your homework.

3. Highlight Your Soft Skills

Are you a natural leader, good listener or meticulous problem solver? Your skills go beyond the subjects you took at school, and employers want to hear about them. Even technical roles will involve a mix of practical skills and soft skills. “You need to be confident enough to speak to clients.”

4. Ace Your Interview

Apprenticeship interviews cover a range of skills, but confidence is key. "If you can answer things confidently, you should be OK," says Sian. Don't worry about knowing everything, apprenticeships are entry-level roles focused on learning. For topics you're unfamiliar with, try this approach: "That's not an area I have much experience in yet. Could you tell me more about it? This honest response shows confidence and curiosity, exactly what employers want.

5. Understand Assessment Centres

Assessment centres are a key part of many application processes; they can feel a bit daunting but don’t worry, team members will be on hand to support you every step of the way.

"It's basically like a gamified skills assessment," said Sian. Assessment days vary between organisations but at Publicis, you’ll take part in a mix of tasks designed to help you show your potential in different ways includes group tasks, where you’ll work with others to respond to a real-life advertising brief and present your ideas, and individual interviews, giving you the chance to talk about your skills, strengths, and why your skills are perfect for Publicis. There are also opportunities to chat with recruiters and ask questions; the more you engage with the support available, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel.

6. Don't Underestimate Experience

Even if it's not directly related, experience matters. Maybe you have a weekend job or play a sport in your free time. Showing your commitment to a job or activity proves your ability to show up and be part of a team. “Screening calls are when we really get to find out about the person," said Sian.

Want to Learn More? 

To learn more about apprenticeships, make sure to watch the full event recording here. A huge thank you to Amna, Sian and Destiny for sharing their stories, and to the Digitas and Publicis Media teams for sponsoring the event!

Take Your Next Step into Tech 

Ready to explore your future in tech? Here's how to get started: 

• Connect with us on social media @NextTechGirls and make sure to follow @digitas_uk and @publicismedia
• Sign up for Insight Days and events through our website 
• Keep an eye on our Job board for the latest apprenticeship opportunities with our partner companies