What have you done since school?
Whilst I was taking my GCSE’s I had applied for a job at Woolston Lodge Surgery. I literally started working there, three days after I had taken my final exam! I started the Business & Administration Apprenticeship programme four days after I had started the job!
Did you go to college? Which one?
I decided I didn’t want to go to college. I still wanted to do some more qualifications but felt that I needed to get out into the work place as well. I felt just staying in education wasn’t for me and the Apprenticeship seemed like the ideal solution to wanting to work and get qualifications.
Do you have any role models?
My Supervisor at Woolston Surgery did an Apprenticeship when she was 16 in Business & Administration. She was an advocate of the scheme and found the information for me so that I could apply.
What made you choose this career?
I did work experience at the surgery when I was 14 and really enjoyed it. When I decided I wanted to start working, rather than go to college I thought that going back to the place where I had enjoyed doing work experience would be a great opportunity for me.
What does your job involve?
When I first started with the company and apprenticeship, a lot of my tasks were filing, filling out medical reports and answering the telephone. As I have progressed with the apprenticeship, I have taken on more tasks including; reception duties, running the procurement project, IT support, IT training, rota management, and secretary duties, including minute taking and audio typing.
What do you like about your job?
I love the diversity of the job. As I have worked here longer, I have taken on different roles. I really enjoy the IT work I have taken on and am happy to be working with such a friendly group of work colleagues.
Where would you like to be in 3-5 years time?
I would like to continue working at the surgery. I have applied to do an Open University course in IT, which I hope to start in September. I have recently started training other surgeries how to use new computer programmes and would really like to keep doing this in the future.
What would you say to encourage other people into doing an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is great for people who still want to learn but don’t want to go to college every day. It also gives you life skills and helps you to progress through a company as you are getting qualifications and learning on the job.
What would you say to encourage other people into your occupational area?
To work in Business & Administration you need to be well organised and have good time management. I think Business Administration is a qualification that is very transferrable and I was surprised when I started the course, the different places in which people worked!
How do you find the combination of work and studying?
My company give me one hour a week at work to complete my NVQ work. This really helps me to keep up with my portfolio.
Anything else?
I like having work placement assessments as sometimes I find it difficult to put it into words what I have been doing at work! I think that it is a great idea to be learning and working at the same time.