Why I Chose an Apprenticeship Instead of Going to University

About Me

My names Ellie, a 19-year-old content creator apprentice at urfuture. I started my apprenticeship in December 2023 after finishing college in the summer, unsure of my career path. Six months into my apprenticeship, I can confidently say it was the best decision I’ve made.

Why I Chose an Apprenticeship Over University

After finishing college with A's and B's in Sociology, Media, and Graphic Design, I felt lost about what I wanted to do next. The traditional route of going to university felt like my only option because that was what all my friends and peers were doing. However, I was curious about apprenticeships and wanting to get straight into the workplace, even though I thought they were only for certain sectors like trades. I’ve now been working at urfuture and doing my apprenticeship for 6 months and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I decided to research into apprenticeships and found The Juice Academy, and I then discovered digital marketing and content creation apprenticeships. Content Creation seemed perfect for me as it combined my passion for design with social media. I also thought it would be an interesting sector to get into as the modern world is so online based and social media dictates our lives, so I knew that there were endless possibilities to grow and learn in this sector.

Nearly every company has a digital marketing team, so I knew there would be endless career opportunities for me.

Choosing an apprenticeship has been the best decision for me because it allows me to gain hands-on work experience but also learn theoretical knowledge from the academy. I’m a practical learner, so this suited me best as it meant I could put my knowledge into practice on a day-to-day basis. It also means I can earn a wage whilst still gaining a qualification.

My Experience at urfuture

Working at urfuture for the past six months has been so good so far and taught me so much. Being part of a start-up has given me a great opportunity to grow and learn, as I’ve been given my own responsibilities and tasks from day one. Being part of a small team means I am able to work closely with our CEO and managers, so I can gain valuable advice, guidance, and support.

Starting my apprenticeship alongside another girl my age has helped with my progress because we’ve been able to learn from and support each other throughout this journey. In this short space of time, I’ve been able to gain so much knowledge and develop my skills in digital marketing, and my confidence has grown from being in a professional environment.

If you’re worried about choosing an apprenticeship over going to university, this is your sign to go for it because it will all work out!

Ellie Carter, Cohort 42 Content Creator Apprentice at urfuture