Hello, my name is Sophie and I started as an apprentice for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust when I was 17, in 2020.
College wasn’t for me; I’d left school in the March of 2020 and I really struggled going back into an educational setting after so long out.
I started my apprenticeship journey in the Accounts Payable team and, by March, was on a full-time secondment Band 2 post, due to a colleague heading off on maternity leave while still studying the customer service qualification.
In the May/June of 2021 a permanent Band 2 job came up in the team, and I was over the moon when I successfully applied for it.
I remained working in this team and learning the ropes for a year, and in the December 2021 finally completed my L2 customer service apprenticeship.
The following August, my confidence, abilities and experience had developed, so I decided it was time for a change and switched teams to the Financial Management Department, as it offered more career development opportunities for me and I was keen to progress.
In September 2022, I began my studies for the L2 AAT, which I have successfully completed in January (2024)!
It has been fantastic to be able to strive for and reach each milestone along the apprenticeship route. I have rolled onto my L3 AAT, which will finish next year, while I now work in a Band 3 permanent role.
The most important piece of advice I could give to other apprentices would be don’t be scared – push yourself and go for any opportunity that presents itself!
