What Starting my IT Apprenticeship Taught Me
I arrived on my first day as an IT apprentice feeling nervous, but genuinely ready to get started. The school environment was never for me, but I still wanted to learn and the best way for me to do so was through an apprenticeship. I was eager to make a difference in a growing company and finally put my skills to the test. It wasn’t just about fixing things — it was about stepping into the real working world and making an impact. Now, 7 months in, I am continuing to grow and develop even more.
The Reality Check I Didn’t Expect
What hit me most in those first few weeks wasn’t the workload, but the work/life balance. Apprenticeship study sessions online were surprisingly relaxed compared to school — still valuable, but without that constant pressure you get in classrooms. Work itself? It was fast paced, but in the best way. My colleagues were brilliant — understanding, patient, and genuinely happy to help. I picked up systems quickly, answered phones without panicking, and found myself integrating into the team far easier than I expected.
4 Big Lessons I Learned About Real Work
You’re Expected to Take Initiative:
In the real world, you’re trusted to step up when it counts. One day, a company-wide issue hit, and my colleague and I had to think fast. We worked together, came up with a fix, and managed to get everything back up and running for the whole company. It felt great to be part of the solution — one of those “this is what it’s all about” moments.
Communication Is Your Secret Weapon:
Turns out, knowing the technical fix isn’t enough. I spent a lot of time explaining tech issues to non-technical people — especially when guests visited the office requiring help. I quickly realised how important it is to explain things in a clear, simple way that makes sense to everyone. It’s one of those skills you get better at without even noticing as it helped me to reconfirm my knowledge at the same time.
Learning Happens Every Single Day:
I’ve learned more systems than I can count, adapted to new software, improved my phone skills, and developed my time management (which I thought was decent before, but it’s next level now). You pick up small lessons daily without even realising it.
Teamwork Makes Everything Work:
The best part about being an apprentice is that people are willing to help. There’s no shame in not knowing something. Working with a supportive team made even tough days easier and taught me how valuable good teamwork really is.
How it is changing me
Looking back, I realised I have come a long way since starting my apprenticeship. Currently 7 months in, I can say that I’m more mature, tech-proficient, and confident. I’ve learned how to balance work and life, handle challenges, and adapt to new situations — all whilst still being young enough to appreciate how rare that experience is.
Advice to New Apprentices
- Don’t be nervous — no one expects you to know everything. Everyone’s been new once.
- GET INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING YOU CAN. TRUST ME. Every chance you get to do something new will help you and give you so much good experience.
- Be curious. Ask questions, even the ‘stupid’ ones, because those are usually the ones that save you later.
Closing Thought
If you’re about to start your apprenticeship journey, know this: it won’t always be easy, but every challenge shapes you into the professional you’re meant to become. And trust me — you’ll surprise yourself with how much you can do.
