I was always fairly driven at school so I knew University wouldn’t be enough for me. While I like the idea of academic study, I didn’t think it would be enough on its own. I had done GCSE in Business, and then A Levels in Business, Economics and History, so I started researching Apprenticeships in business disciplines. That’s when I found the Management Degree Apprenticeship with IBM.

I was in Year 12 and my classmates were starting to research university courses. I found the IBM website and knew there and then it was the one. The benefits of working and studying at the same time, the opportunities available within the business and the positive reviews I read from previous IBM apprentices, just made it sound perfect for me. There was the opportunity to sign up for notifications about the Apprenticeship programme on their website, so I did.

As soon as I was in Year 13, I applied to IBM to join the programme. It was actually the only Apprenticeship I applied for so I’d have been stuck if I hadn’t got in! I did do a late UCAS application, just in case things didn’t go as planned, but fortunately I passed the IBM Assessment Centre in March so I knew I had got the place from then. IBM don’t recruit a set number of apprentices each year, it varies depending on the business need; I know there are other Digital and Technology Solutions

Degree Apprentices in my year but I think I’m the only Management Apprentice who was hired from the assessment centre I attended. Lots of people applied so I know how lucky I am.

One of my biggest fears about taking up an Apprenticeship was that I’d miss out on a social life, but that just hasn’t been the case. Friday is my University day and I get to mix with other Management Degree apprentices from other companies on the course. Already we’ve made friends and I’m planning to house share with some of them when I get to London.

University is great: we study with Pearson College London, who are very industry driven. We cover the same topics as a full-time Management student would, only we do them one at a time because we’re only in one day a week. In this first year, we’re covering a lot of the basics that I was introduced to in my Business A Level, which is useful revision for me, but means you wouldn’t have had to do Business A Level in order to start this Apprenticeship. In later years, I can specialise by selecting different modules if I want, but I’ll be taking advice from IBM on what they need too.

We do get assignments from university to complete, often in my own time, but IBM are really good about understanding the balance between work and study. After all, they have been training apprentices for a long time! The Degree will take me a minimum of three years to complete, but I will also have Chartered Manager status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) by the end of my Apprenticeship.

My current role is in Project Management, helping to get a big project completed on time, but I sit within the Supply Chain team. I can’t tell you what I’m working on exactly, but it’s an exciting new technology-based project for a major company. Project Management is a bit different to what I was expecting. I’m always interacting with other people and I’ve definitely built up my communication skills. Going forward, I will be able to try other types of management roles. My pastoral manager is here to support me and we’ve already discussed opportunities for the future.

Aside from my university day, there is no typical day in the rest of my week. It varies enormously, which is good for me as I’m learning something new every day. It also gives me the flexibility to get involved with other things like being an Young Apprentice Ambassador and a student rep at University. My days usually start off generating reports for our client, to update on the project progress and any risks or issues. We’ll probably then go into meetings with clients or colleagues and raise those issues or check what needs doing next. Afternoons tend to have less meetings so I will work on my own tasks.

The amount of responsibility I have gained at just 18 is flabbergasting; for example, I’m speaking to clients nearly every day. I never doubted that I would eventually, but it still amazes me that I’m here already! At my age, going into a new job, I thought I would be told what to do but I’m actually encouraged to think about solutions myself and bring them to the table.

Another advantage of an Apprenticeship, at any level, is that my employer pays for the course, so IBM pick up my university fees. My salary then covers my cost of living, rent and any travel. I’ve worked out what I think it will cost to live in London and I still think I will be comfortable financially.

What would my advice be for anyone wanting to follow a similar route to me? Firstly, be proactive. If your school or college isn’t pushing any options other than university, then research it yourself. There is lots of help and advice out there to help you understand what you need to do. I was never pushed by my school, but IBM were so impressed that I had taken the initiative myself, I’m sure that helped.

Then, get yourself as much experience as you can, as potential employers will want to hear about it all. Look at everything as an opportunity: even at school, something like helping out with an after-school club will give you experience that will really help you in later life, in general. While I was at school, I worked part-time and trained as a barista. Although it wasn’t what I wanted to do in life, I still gave it 100% and it gave me great skills and experiences. For example, the customer experience and communication skills I was using daily in the coffee shop meant I was able to demonstrate at my interview that I already had these and could adapt them to IBM clients.

I have had so many opportunities already. I’ve even joined the Association of Apprenticeships, a new community to provide advice and support to other apprentices. I feel very lucky to be in this position and I would recommend anyone to consider an apprenticeship.

Editors note

Since we conducted this interview, Euan’s role in IBM has now changed. He now works in the UKI Garage Squad. The Squad focuses on engaging with large organisations and implementing the Garage Methodology to allow them to operate at speed as if they were a startup, but, with the scalability of an enterprise.